Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced on Tuesday, May 28, that the P525 million improvement of the Burgos Public Market has been cancelled.
The mayor made the announcement after the Burgos market vendors voted against the plan presented by the city government.
If they do not want the renovation and are happy the way they are, the funds can be used for the improvement of other markets or the construction of satellite markets to bring them closer to the communities, Benitez said.
Benitez said he told the vendors “if you vote yes but with certain changes in the design it’s still a yes, but if you vote no then I will take the funds somewhere else.”
No more repairs and work will be undertaken at the Burgos market, he said.
Benitez also said they will also investigate if vendors at the Burgos market are original stall awardees. We will determine what arrangement they have with the city, he said.
If markets are improved it will not only help consumers but will also draw in more customers for the vendors, Benitez said.
Benitez said he will ask the city council to reallocate the funds intended for the Burgos market for other projects.*