₱525-M new Burgos Public Market to rise in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY — A new Burgos Public Market will rise in this city in two years.

City Engineer Loben Raphael Ceballos said that ₱525 million has been allocated from the city’s loan for the renovation of the 8,000-square meter Burgos Public Market into a two-story structure.

The city government targets construction next year.

Ceballos said the design includes a terminal for Granada and Alangilan routes, a covered parking space, a food court, and additional stalls. Dry and wet sections will be inside the market, with good air circulation, he added.

“Once this becomes successful, the design will be replicated in other public markets,” Ceballos said.

Ceballos said the project is expected to be completed in 18 months, including the construction of temporary facilities for affected vendors.

If everything goes according to plan, Ceballos said that bidding can start by January.

Ceballos said the city will temporarily build facilities for all vendors to enable them to continue their businesses amid the renovation.

He said that affected vendors will be temporarily transferred to a two-hectare vacant lot owned by the Yanson family in Barangay 19 adjacent to the market.

Currently, the market has more than 700 stalls, Ceballos added.

Some vendors reacted after learning that the market will be renovated since it was also rehabilitated under the previous administration early last year.

But Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said that this time the city wanted a comprehensive solution.

“Not only do we have better design, but we’re contemplating to also have at least 938 stalls in the new market,” he said.