The demolition of the Hinigaran Public Market is underway in preparation for the construction of a three-storey building, worth P220 million.
Mayor Nadie Arceo said 60 percent of the old market building had been demolished while ground works for the new building is in full blast.
More than 200 vendors were temporarily transferred to the town’s Bagsakan Center.
Once the Market Mall is operational, the vendors in the dry goods section of the old market will be given priority to lease stalls while fish and meat vendors will remain at the Bagsakan Center that will be the new area for wet market products.
Arceo said the construction of the new business center is expected to finish by the first quarter of 2022. The floor area is 15,000 square meters for a three-floor building.
The structure will be a mix of commercial stalls, food alleys, and dry goods section. The second floor will be design for a department store.
Arceo said the management of a chain of department stores initially negotiated to lease the area.
Last year, the municipal government availed of a P210 million loan from Land Bank of the Philippines to fund the construction of the new market.
Meanwhile, the construction of Hinigaran Hotel also started, and P10 million was allotted last year from the municipal government’s annual general budget.
Arceo said the hotel’s construction is expected to finish next year. It will be run by the municipal government and will employ preferably Hinigaranons, who are graduates of hospitality management courses. – MML
