Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said funds will be allocated for barangay-operated markets in the 2016 budget.
This would be used to improve the markets and bring these at par with international standards, he said.
Rama and his team visited 17 markets during the first Cebu City Market Tour yesterday.
The tour was aimed at assessing the needs of barangay markets in terms of improvements in road, sidewalk, sanitation and security.
“From what we have seen in Poblacion Pardo until here [in Taboan], I already have some changes in mind. For the 2016 budget preparation, there should be funding for every barangay-operated market.
The aid will solely be used for market improvement that will help in heritage preservation, roads, sanitation, health and traffic,” Rama said in a press conference in Taboan.
He visited the markets in Pardo, Inayawan, Basak, Tabada, Punta Princesa, Tisa, Labangon, Banawa, Taboan, Pasil, Barangay Luz, Lahug, Lorega, Ramos, T. Padilla, Carbon and Mango Trade Mall.
He did not specify a budget. Rama said the barangays still need to further assess what their markets need.
He also said different programs will be implemented in each market.
He cited Taboan, which he said could be transformed into a park and food court in the evening.
In Tisa Public Market, sidewalks will have to be cleared of vendors. In Banawa, Rama said he will request the Visayan Electric Co., Inc. (VECO) to restore the lamps. /XAVIER UNIVERSITY INTERN PEARL THERESE S. ATON
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