The city government here has started the rehabilitation of three major public markets costing a total of PHP150 million funded under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

As of Wednesday, work is ongoing after Mayor Evelio Leonardia conducted an ocular inspection in one of the sites last weekend.

“This is by far, the biggest single LGSF the city has ever received and made possible,” Leonardia said.

Undergoing repair and rehabilitation are Burgos Market in the north; Central Market at the downtown area; and Libertad Market in the south, with an allocation of around PHP50 million each.

“The amount has been allocated by the national government through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to complete the projects. I requested the DBM for assistance with the rehabilitation of the city’s three major markets in 2020 yet,” the mayor said.

Leonardia said he conducted the inspection together with Assistant City Engineer Loben Rafael Ceballos and other City Engineer’s Office personnel involved in the project planning.

The rehabilitation of the city’s three major public markets is part of the immediate local economic recovery plan from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic through increased government spending on infrastructure to create more jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Some PHP3 billion worth of local and national government-funded projects in the city are being implemented. (PNA)