The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) supports the proposed construction of a new Dumaguete City Public Market, NOCCI President Edward C. Du said on Saturday, May 23.
In a manifesto issued Friday, NOCCI said that it “firmly supports and believes that the construction of a new Dumaguete City Public Market represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen the city’s economy, improve public services, uplift local enterprises, and prepare Dumaguete for the demands of future urban growth.”
NOCCI also commended the vision of the Dumaguete City government in pursuing the project as part of its efforts to “create a more progressive, efficient, resilient, and globally competitive city.”
“Public markets are more than centers of trade—they are pillars of community life, economic activity, tourism, food security, and inclusive development,” NOCCI said.
A modern public market has the power to stimulate investment, generate employment, improve sanitation and public safety, empower micro and small entrepreneurs, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike, the chamber added.
“We believe that Dumaguete deserves a public market that reflects the city’s aspirations as a leading urban and tourism destination in the region,” it stated.
NOCCI expressed firm support for the ongoing public consultations and constructive dialogue regarding the proposed modern facility. These efforts will strengthen public confidence and ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project, the group noted.
The business chamber also backed the conduct of comprehensive technical, environmental, financial, and social evaluations to ensure that the proposed development becomes:
- Structurally safe and disaster-resilient;
- Environmentally sustainable and climate-adaptive;
- Economically beneficial and financially viable;
- Efficiently designed for accessibility, sanitation, traffic flow, and logistics; and
- Responsive to the evolving needs of vendors, consumers, businesses, and the wider community.
NOCCI said it envisions the new Dumaguete City Public Market not simply as a conventional commercial facility, but as a modern civic landmark that embodies innovation, sustainability, resilience, and excellent public service.
The chamber reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote inclusive growth, strengthen economic competitiveness, improve public service delivery, enhance disaster resilience, and contribute meaningfully to the continued progress of Dumaguete City.
True modernization is achieved through visionary leadership, responsible governance, collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to the welfare and future of the community, the manifesto concluded.*
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