HERMOSA, Bataan – A modern public market, funded for about P50 million, is expected to rise on a two-hectare land in Palihan, Hermosa town after its ground-breaking held last Tuesday.
Mayor Efren Cruz, Jr. said completion of the Hermosa public market was set on May 15 next year in time for the holding of the fiesta of Barangay Palihan where the entrance and exit point in Bataan of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Tollway is located.
The mayor said the new market has an initial 346 stalls but more than 800 stall holders have already applied. “Hindi pa man tapos ang palengke, iniisip na naming palakihin pa dahil sa dami ng gustong magtinda,” Cruz said.
The market, with a floor area of 6,000 square meters, is expected to rise on a two-hectare land adjacent to two major roads, the Roman Superhighway and the MacArthur Highway.
The Land Bank of the Philippines has approved a loan package of P47 million. However, Cruz said that the municipality will be sourcing P30 million from prospective stall holders for the construction.
He termed the scheme as pre-selling of stalls with P15 million to be paid on December this year and another P15 million by February next year.
The mayor announced a big difference in the construction of the public market compared to other towns. While other municipalities closed old public markets to construct new ones, Hermosa will continuously use the old market in the poblacion.
“We will retain our old market to serve people near the poblacion while this new one will cater to the needs of upland barangays not only in Hermosa but also nearby areas from other towns,” Cruz said.
