CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bulacan Consumer Affairs Council (BCAC) have recognized the newly constructed El Mercado de Calumpit as the Huwarang Palengke 2025 in the large market category.
Calumpit Mayor Glorime Faustino received the award during the extended celebration of Consumer Welfare Month held at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in this city.
The market was likewise cited as the Most Improved Public Market in Bulacan.
The recognition came after the Municipal Government of Calumpit completed a massive three-year reconstruction of its public market, which had long been prone to flooding and had become undersized following the upgrading of the Manila North Road.
With the reconstruction, the new facility is now more spacious, cleaner, and elevated above road level.
The Development Bank of the Philippines supported the project through a P399-million loan, enabling the construction of the new building.
A key feature of the market is the sculpture of a giant freshwater prawn (ulang), a species abundant in the Calumpit stretch of the Angat River.
El Mercado de Calumpit has also emerged as a tourism attraction under the growing trend of “Palengke Tourism,” being promoted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Central Luzon Tourguides’ Association (CLTA) and Orante’s Catering Services, which pioneered floating restaurant operations in the town.
DTI Central Luzon Regional Director Edna Dizon lauded the winners for championing consumer rights and welfare.
She noted that the awardees went beyond BCAC compliance standards, demonstrating strong implementation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Paleng-QR digital payment program and DTI’s Market Modernization Program.
Trailing Calumpit in the large market category were the public markets of San Ildefonso and Hagonoy.
In the medium market category, the newly-reconstructed Pulilan Public Market, funded through a P300-million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines, was elevated to the Hall of Fame, followed by the public markets of San Rafael and Angat.
For the small market category, Bustos Public Market placed first, with Pandi Public Market securing second place.
Special awards were also conferred, including Most Digital-Ready Market for the public markets of Angat and Plaridel; and Eco-Friendly Market for the Doña Remedios Trinidad Public Market. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3–Bulacan)
