KALIBO, Aklan – The market vendors, who were affected by the fire here last September, were heading back to their old location, the municipal government said.
Engr. Jesse Fegarido, head of the Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office, said the stakeholders will be accommodated in the middle portion of the public market here.
The fire on Sept. 15 destroyed over 300 stalls, leaving millions of merchandise in ashes, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.
“Nalinis natin ang portion ng tindahan na nasunog at gawin nating temporary selling area nila. Aayusin natin at lalagyan ng bubong, at ibabalik ang mga apektadong stakeholders para hindi na tayo magkaproblema sa trapik sa Toting Reyes Street,” Fegarido said.
A special ordinance from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has allowed the affected stakeholders to use the portion of the provincial road (Toting Reyes Street) from Roxas Avenue Extension to Fortunato Quimpo Street as temporary shelter for three months.
The personnel of the municipal government began the heavy equipment operations three weeks after the fire to remove debris from the site, allowing the LGU to rebuild the public market.
Fegarido said the municipal LGU plans to put up a temporary relocation site next year before the massive reconstruction of the damaged portion of the market.
The fire hasn’t stopped the 337 vendors to get back into business.
Two days after the fire, it was “business as usual” as vendors brought in items to sell to their loyal customers.
Many of them decided to sell in the sidewalks while waiting for the temporary shelter promised by local government officials.
“Sa ngayon muna, roofing ang i-construct natin within two weeks para makalipat ang mga nasunugan na kasalukuyang nagtitinda sa sidewalks at ibang area ng tindahan,” saidFegarido.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
