ILOILO City – The city government of Iloilo is pushing for a climate-resilient Iloilo Terminal Market or “Super” and Iloilo Central Market.
“These two markets, which we are looking to develop under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, should be primary examples of climate-resilient designs that will inspire other developments in the city,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas following the signing of the lease agreement yesterday.
“We want to transform and modernize these markets and part of that transformation is to make these structures resilient to the impacts of the changing climate,” Treñas added.
A February 2020 Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment Research on Iloilo City notes that since the city has relatively low elevation and highly dense populations in the coastal areas and along the Iloilo River, communities are highly susceptible to flooding and storm surge.
Further, the study also notes that in recent years, particularly in 2007, 2009 and 2015, Iloilo experienced major water shortage problems due to El Niño.
“Our public markets are being restored to allow our local vendors to compete and also to give more convenience to Ilonggos. Climate change-resilient features to the new structure will further add to the positive impact of the public market transformation,” added Treñas.
Mayor Treñas said they will tap the expertise of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., with whom the local government has signed a Lease Agreement for the redevelopment of the two public markets, in integrating such climate-resilient and sustainability features in the new structures.
He cited in particular the rain water catchment tank that SM integrates in its malls, which allows the harvest of large volumes of rainwater particularly in flood-prone areas, helping keep neighboring communities safe and less prone to flooding.
The modernized markets will also be equipped with parking spaces to ease traffic congestion, improved comfort rooms, a drainage system to prevent flooding, solid waste management, and wastewater treatment.
The City Hall through the Local Economic Enterprise Office will continue to manage both markets when the facilities are developed under PPP scheme without cost to the city government.
“Current public market stall holders and vendors who will be transferred to the new developments, the customers, as well as tourists, will greatly benefit from the improved structure – a cleaner, competitive, accessible, and climate resilient hubs,” said Treñas./PN
