EDITORIAL

Decent Market Venue For Kalibonhons

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Modernizing Kalibo’s public market can be a long and arduous process. Transformation from a wet market of makeshift stalls in the early sixties to its present state of semi permanence, high rise building and upbeat fish/meat section remind everyone that positive action has been done by the previous administration to alleviate problems associated with wholesale and retail trading.

Along with its modest success is the unprecedented growth of commercial establishments along its main thoroughfares: Roxas Avenue and Toting Reyes St. Magnet has drawn customers away from the old shopping district converging around Pastrana Park and Shopping Center effectively converting them into proverbial "ghost towns". The present shopping destination is where customer services and satisfaction are better addressed brought about by rising expectations.

The present public market although given funding and attention by Mayor William S. Lachica is far from adequate. Market stalls inside the facility are cramped, dark and filthy. Half of them are unoccupied. Those without business permits are forced to occupy sidewalks otherwise reserved for pedestrians.

The Provincial government on September 6, 2010 acceded to the request of LGU Kalibo to allow a portion of Toting Reyes St. for ambulant vendors’ use during Sundays. Obviously, customers prefer areas where wares such as RTW’s, plastic and aluminium products are openly displayed, reasonably priced and of good quality. In turn, sellers want broad space, pleasing ambiance and positive interaction. The only hindrance to this otherwise profitable partnership is submerged location during heavy rains.

Cemetery Effluents

Undoubtedly, drainage system in and around the vicinity of the Kalibo Public Market must have larger pipes, connected and clogged-free. The provincial capital’s business, residential and institutional areas are susceptible to flooding even with slight downpour of rain. What makes it controversial is that effluents from the low lying four cemeteries located south of the public market are easily carried via Toting Reyes St. by massive water flow. This affects domestic water supply and health of the people in contact with contaminated water.

Based on modern marketing trend, traders are simply housed under one massive roof, classified into their major kinds of merchandise and have a uniform selling platform. Underneath these platforms are storage areas for their wares and could be padlocked for the night. These allow for sufficient lighting, sanitation, and transparency.

Wet Concrete Floor

The second level of the market could best be rented out to public and private offices. Experience proved that customers seldom climb up stairs. They prefer "ground zero" merchandise unless there is an escalator or driven by need. Concurrently, two other towns namely Ibajay and Makato suffer the same predicament of low patronage. By the way, this is also true with the supermarket in Cotabato City where the second floor lacks tenants.

It is disheartening to find an army of cops and auxiliary personnel directing traffic in the vicinity of the public market. The main reason is that planners miserably failed to allocate parking space for motor vehicles. Good grief! One must pity those business establishments who are swanked with private vehicles in front of their stores. Despite the big number of law enforcers, there is perennial traffic problem that sees no end.

In addition, periodic declogging of drainage canal on the north and west sides of the public market by aides of the General Services Unit leaves much to be desired. The black, slimy, odorous material extracted is not immediately collected and disposed but allowed to remain on the roadside for two to three days. Accidentally stepping on one of those piles could be a terrible disaster. Rubber boots is advisable to use even during summer months. Reason: concrete floor is literally wet all the time.

Culprit is the failure of LGU Kalibo to prosecute landowners and developers who callously usurped the Andagao Creek to themselves. Abetting environmental disaster are also people who unscrupulously throw their garbage into the canal. The big losers are the children and future generations. It must take the audacity and courage of former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando to do the impossible in Kalibo, Aklan.
Current Move

Aware of the problem posed by unsanitary and congested environment of the Kalibo public market, current move of the Lachica Administration is to develop the auxiliary market at the Bagsakan terminal in Oyo Torong. This is laudable move and can effectively address consumer needs of those living in the western section of the Poblacion. At least a number of meat and vegetable shops have opened along Roxas Avenue and even in Bulwang, Numancia. What is obvious in this trend is that there is growing customer awareness towards quality and affordable priced products.

Modernizing Kalibo’s public market definitely requires excellent planning and implementation. There must be a termination of bad practices (like sub-leasing/non payment of stall rentals and tampered weighing scales) and political accommodation associated with market governance. Using town streets and sidewalks to market one’s wares runs counter to smooth motoring access and pedestrian safety. We must insure that our food source is predominantly secured from the open market and remains free of disease carrying pathogens, fresh and nutritious as it could be.

Almost half a century has passed, yet to this day, Kalibonhons are still looking forward to a decent marketing venue that could be a source of pride and inspiration not only here but abroad. An eagle’s vision is to soar above the clouds of doubt and uncertainty. Together, with our elected leaders, we can realize this vision in due time. /MP