Talisay inaugurates 3 big infra projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City government inaugurated yesterday three big-ticket infrastructure projects in time for the city’s 17th Charter Day.

The projects include the P165-million new Tabunok Public Market, P1-million Talisay City Technical Vocational Training Center, and P5-million Women and Children Development Center.

The city also turned over one service car and four motorcycles to the city police.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas led the inauguration and turnover rites, which started with a Mass followed by a blessing ceremony for the new public market and the two centers.

Also present during the blessing were Vice Mayor Alan Bucao and the members of the City Council.

Gullas said the construction of the new public market was a “dream come true” for the city.

He vowed to turn over the market stalls to the vendors by next month.

The project had cost the city government P165 million, which is broken down into P52 million for the first phase; P98 million for the second phase; and P15 million for third phase.

The P52-million phase one project covers the groundbreaking and the demolition of the old structures, as well as the construction of two buildings— administrative and commercial buildings for dry goods.

The second phase of the project, on the other hand, covers the complex type building for fish, meat, vegetable section, and the elevated parking lot. While the third phase covers the construction of a sewage treatment facility.

The construction of the second phase was stalled for months owing to the delay in transferring vendors to their makeshift stalls and installation of electrical wirings, among others.

The phase two was supposed to be finished last December.

The project contractor for the rehabilitation of the old Lagtang Public Market, which will be used as a tech-voc center, is still conducting the finishing touches.

The center for women and children, on the other hand, is set to be fully operational soon.

The one-story center provides temporary shelter to women and children who have fallen victims to domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation.

The center sits on a 40-square meter government property in the city.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas shelled out P2.2 million for the project construction, while the city government spent P2 million for the site development.

Gullas said the city is looking forward to more projects this year. (FREEMAN)