BACOLOD City – After decades without renovation, the Central Public Market here now has newly refurbished restrooms, improving sanitation facilities for vendors and shoppers.
The renovated comfort rooms are located on the north and south sides of the market, with three sets per location catering to male, female, and senior citizens/persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on markets, disclosed that the project cost P2 million. She added that personnel have been assigned to ensure daily maintenance of the facility.
Flor said also being considered is imposing a user fee for the restrooms through an ordinance to sustain their upkeep and fund immediate repairs.
Meanwhile, the city government is set to rehabilitate the toilets at Burgos Public Market once the procurement process is completed. However, the Libertad Public Market restrooms are not included in the renovation, as an annex building with restrooms was constructed there a few years ago.
In a related development, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez conducted an orientation for market vendors at Burgos Public Market on February 4 to inform them about various assistance programs available to Bacolod residents.
The orientation covered key programs such as the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Bayad Agad, burial assistance, and medical assistance. Vendors were also introduced to skills training opportunities provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in partnership with the city’s Sectoral Affairs Office.
Mayor Benitez personally engaged with the vendors, listening to their concerns and discussing ways to enhance their livelihood and access to government support./PN
