Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has set aside more than P100 million to refurbish seven old and dilapidated public markets in the city, just after he ordered the P150-million renovation of Quinta Market in Quiapo.
Estrada expects the simultaneous repair works on the markets to be completed this year, even as he vowed to renovate the rest of Manila’s public markets under a modernization program.
“All 17 public markets in the city will soon be modernized, just like what I’ve promised. This year, seven more will be rehabilitated, they will be like new,” Estrada said.
The seven public markets undergoing major facelifts are Obrero Public Market in Blumentritt Street, at a cost of P16.97 million; Pampanga Public Market in Pampanga Street, Tondo (P10.44 million); Dagonoy Market in Onyx Street, San Andres (P47.70 million); Wagas Market in Wagas Street, Tondo (P12.85 million); Baseco Market in Baseco Compound, Port Area (P8.35 million); Bambang Market in Bambang Street, Tondo (P7.87 million); and Pandacan Market (P8.24 million).
Estrada has set aside a total of P104.21 million for these projects, part of a multimillion-peso public market rehabilitation program.
The renovation works include repainting; rewiring and installation of new lightings; construction of new drainage, water, and sewer lines; installation of floor tiles; refurbishment of toilets; installation of brand new roll-up doors and windows; and replacement of roofs, among other works, according to City Market Administrator Annie Balboa.
Of the city’s 17 public markets, five more—the Arrangue, Divisoria, New Antipolo, Pritil, and Central markets—will also be renovated soon, according to Balboa.
“Gone are the days that public markets here in Manila were known to be dirty and smelly. We are close to achieving our goal of modernizing our public markets, just like modern shopping malls,” Estrada pointed out.
On his 80th birthday last April 19, Estrada reopened the modernized Quinta Market, the latest local public market to undergo complete reconstruction.
Through a joint venture agreement with a private developer, and at no cost to the city government, the Quinta Market now has modern wet and dry sections and stalls, air-conditioned restrooms, a food court, fast food restaurants, parking area, security cameras, and even free Wi-Fi connections.
A fish port and a ferry terminal were also constructed near the two-storey market to serve traders and passengers coming from other cities and nearby provinces through the Pasig River.
On April last year, Estrada also inaugurated the rehabilitated public markets in Sampaloc, Sta. Ana, San Andres, and Trabajo. Each now looks more like an air-conditioned shopping mall than a public market, he said.