The city officials told the members of the Gibraltar Market Vendors Association that the city government will push through with the redevelopment of the Gibraltar Satellite Market despite the association’s request for its suspension.
During the city council’s regular session last Monday, members of the association disclosed that they filed their application for a land title with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) just last week, hence their request for the deferment of the construction of a new satellite market building.
Fabiana Balangay, representative of the association, demanded that the association, and not the city government, must be the one in charge of the satellite market’s redevelopment. She further asserted that they had the right to claim the property as they had been occupying it since the 1980s and that they had shouldered all the expenses for the improvement of the land.
Representing the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Elias Aoanan stated that the land where the Gibraltar Satellite Market is situated was identified on February 3, 1995 by the City Land Use Identification Committee for city needs.
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan explained that under the Baguio City’s Charter, lands identified for city needs cannot be claimed by any individual or entity.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña asserted that the construction cannot be delayed as the project had already been bid out and was poised to be awarded to the winning bidder on December 7, 2021.
Dela Peña cited Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Policy Board which stipulates the guidelines for the bidding and implementation of government infrastructure projects.
“There are time frames that we need to follow in accordance with RA 9184. We cannot delay a project just because somebody requested for its deferment, unless there is an order from the Supreme Court,” dela Peña stressed.
The city council repeatedly assured the association that the existing stall owners will not be disenfranchised.
However, despite the assurance that they are given the highest priority in the selection of individuals to be given slots in the new facility, Balangay strongly expressed opposition against the project.
Nemesio Huag and Abraham Lagasca, punong barangays of Gibraltar and Pacdal respectively, denied the claim of the association that the stall owners were not consulted regarding the project. Huag claimed that some of the stall owners attended the public consultation.
Lagasca said that all punong barangays of Districts 1 and 11 crafted a joint manifesto expressing full support to the proposed construction of the Gibraltar satellite market.
In 2020, the current administration announced its plan to pursue the modernization of the Gibraltar Satellite Market. It was initially estimated at a cost of P110 million but was downscaled to P75 million due to lack of funds. The three-floor structure will house around 150 rentable stalls.
Despite the reduced number of stalls due to the downscaling, CPDO Chief Donna Tabangin stated during the council session on June 28, 2021 that all stall owners in the existing satellite market will still be accommodated in the redeveloped satellite market. **Jordan G. Habbiling
