BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has directed the City Engineering Office (CEO) to craft a plan for the rehabilitation of the portion of the Central Market engulfed by fire on December 13.
“The city government will build back better the market which was hit by fire. The repair will be done gradually,” said Mayor Benitez.
The city mayor, however, added that due to the holiday season the CEO could possibly submit the plan for market rehabilitation by next year.
For the meantime, the mayor said the city will temporarily close a portion of the Bonifacio Street fronting the Central Market for the relocation of the displaced vendors.
The city government has provided P15,000 to each vendor whose stall was destroyed and P10,000 each for the owners of damaged stalls.
Also, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 distributed financial assistance to affected vendors: P10,000 for totally destroyed stalls and P5,000 for damaged stalls.
Data from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod City showed that around 42 stalls were hit by fire early morning of December 13.
Authorities said the fire was electrical in nature and damage was pegged at over P4.7 million./PN
