Vice Mayor Bucao proposes free rides for market goers

CEBU, Philippines - To bring in customers to the new public market in barangay Lagtang next week, Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao has proposed that the city provide free transportation to them.

"I have already proposed that in our past meetings with Mayor Soc (Fernandez) pero wap-a may feedback", the vice mayor said.

Bucao said he raised the idea following reports that the buying public finds the new location of the public market quite far which is taxing on their part.

At present, all tricycles drop passengers at the Tabunok area where the public market is located and if a passenger wishes to go to Lagtang, he has to get another ride.

But starting August 29, the day the new market opens, the new terminal will be moved to Lagtang as part of the city's goal to make the new market accessible to the public, eliminating the additional ride when going to that direction.

Instead, an additional charge of at least P1 on top of the P8 minimum fare would be charged per person.

And so to encourage the public to try the Lagtang market, Bucao sees it a good start to give them a free ride.

The city has already offered free transport of all goods from the Tabunok market starting August 23, as part of its friendly gestures to the opposing vendors.

So it is just fair to introduce free rides for market goers, Bucao said.

However, the proposal which was brought up weeks ago might have fallen on deaf ears since no feedbacks have been heard from the mayor.

Bucao said the mayor, department heads, and the council have still a week to decide on the proposal.

Meanwhile, Bucao clarified that all the vendors are given the chance to transfer to the new market starting August 23 until midnight of August 28.

On August 29, all of them must already be in Lagtang as the old market will be shut down, he said.