ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas assured the public that the redeveloped Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market will open this May, marking a major milestone in the city’s modernization efforts.
“We will see if we can open them on the same day,” Treñas announced in a press conference on Monday.
He also confirmed that vendors would be allowed to gradually set up their goods ahead of the formal opening, adding that preparations, including the planned demolition of temporary stalls, are already in place.
Treñas acknowledged the challenge of removing the temporary stalls, noting that they were made of durable materials.
“Their roofs are thick, their plywood is thick. It would be a waste to demolish them if we can’t repurpose the materials,” he said.
Given recent fire incidents in the city, the mayor stressed the need for a safe transition for vendors. He proposed using salvaged materials to construct temporary shelters for those who will be displaced before they move to their permanent stalls.
“My plan is to build temporary shelters, similar to the rooms we provide for fire victims, so they can stay there temporarily before moving to their permanent stalls,” he said.
Treñas also addressed concerns over construction delays, clarifying that the project was temporarily halted due to a case filed with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
“When that was resolved and approved by the NHCP, the construction resumed immediately,” he explained./PN
