ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) has come under fire anew. It is turning over the P200-million Mandurriao Public Market project to the city government despite it being unfinished, with only 80 of the promised 200 stalls completed.
Mayor Raisa Treñas expressed frustration over the upcoming handover, stressing that the incomplete facility has forced vendors to endure makeshift conditions for more than a year.
“Ang Mandurriao, it will be turned over na this month sa aton mga vendors pero na-identify sang aton Market Committee nga kulang gid siya – 80 stalls lang ang nahuman, nga dapat 200 stalls. May mga kulang-kulang pa kag subong may mga naga-occupy pa sa likod sang gym,” Treñas said.
Phase 3 of the project – which was supposed to include the remaining stalls, a gymnasium on the top floor, and a sewerage treatment plant – never secured funding.
To temporarily address the shortfall, the city government is allocating P5.5 million to make the market usable.
“We cannot allow our vendors to continue suffering because of an unfinished project. That is why we are stepping in immediately, while our technical teams assess how much more funding will be needed to fully complete the market,” the mayor said.
Treñas also vowed to hold implementing agencies accountable, stressing that the city will no longer accept incomplete infrastructure.
“Ang iban nga mga projects i-review gid naton. Indi pwede nga i-turnover lang ang obra pero indi magamit sang tawo. We will make sure nga kung may ginabutang nga pondo, makita man naton ang klaro nga resulta para sa mga Ilonggo,” she emphasized.
Displaced vendors from the old Mandurriao Market have been operating at Plaza Mandurriao and nearby areas since construction began. Treñas assured them that their welfare remains a top priority.
“The Iloilo City Government will continue to act decisively, responsibly, and always with the welfare of our people as our top priority,” she said./PN
