TACLOBAN CITY – The city government is drawing up plans for a massive rehabilitation of the Tacloban City Public Market — its main trading hub — with an initial budget that could reach as much as P1 billion.
Councilor Dandee Grafil, chair of the city council’s committee on slaughterhouse, public market, and livestock, revealed the plan during the “Harampang” media forum organized by the City Information Office on Wednesday, September 24.
“The city government plans to rehabilitate the city public market and it may cost up to P1 billion,” Grafil said, noting that designs and plans are now being prepared.
However, he added that the start of actual construction and the final funding source have yet to be determined.
“The city is still looking for funding,” he said.
Built in the 1970s, the Tacloban City Public Market has withstood a series of disasters, including Super Typhoon ‘’Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 and a massive fire on July 19 this year that gutted sections of the market and city offices such as the Veterinary Office, Market Operations Office, and Treasurer’s Extension Office.
At present, vendors affected by the fire have been given temporary stalls and a waiver of monthly rental fees to help them recover losses.
Grafil assured that these displaced stallholders will be prioritized once the rehabilitation begins.
“Those whose stalls were burned down will still be the priority,” he said, adding that the rehabilitation is envisioned to be done in phases due to the large cost.
The public market remains a key economic hub for Tacloban and neighboring towns, supplying meat, seafood, vegetables, and other goods.
Officials hope the planned redevelopment will modernize facilities, improve safety standards, and create a more resilient market for both vendors and consumers.
JOEY A. GABIETA
