City gov’t to help displaced vendors: 2 ‘Sinos’ planned burning of Baguio public market?

BAGUIO CITY – Two Chinese-looking men were seen along Kayang St. here pointing at the exact site where a few hours later, a fire razed at least P20 million worth of goods were burned during a three-hour blaze Monday morning at the fruit and vegetable section of the public market.

According to stall owners, the two men who looked like affluent businessmen were reportedly overheard talking about plans to develop the market after the fire.

Police have yet to determine if arson was involved as the city fire department has still not determined actual cause of the fire that started around 2:15 a.m.

Talks were rife here that the burning may have something with plans of a corporation to build a modern market in the site.

No one was reported hurt during the huge fire but firefighters said they had to sift through the rubble looking for clues of the fire.

Victor Calimlim, president of the Baguio Market Vendors Cooperative and one of the affected stall-owners, said there were about 200 stalls burned.

Calimlim said each stall has an average inventory of about P80,000 to P100,000 and since market vendors expect an influx of visitors for the ongoing flower f, the amount could be higher.estival.

City Administrator lawyer Peter Fianza said although there is an existing plan to put up a new market in the area, this is still pending final action at the City Council.

In 1990, Uniwide signified intentions to develop the Baguio City market area but the plan was faced with strong opposition from market vendors, a series of court proceedings, and eventually, financial problems.

In April last year, another section – the Black Market – just a few steps from the fruit and vegetable section that was razed yesterday – was also gutted by fire due to faulty electrical wiring.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista has assured vendors that the city will restore the damaged portion of the market.”

This, as, the city government said stallholders displaced by the fire will retain their posts.

City officials led by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. agreed to fasttrack the clearing of the burned area and put up temporary structures at the same spot to enable the displaced vendors to resume their businesses.

The mayor said they earlier considered transferring the vendors to temporary locations like the sinkhole area along Magsaysay Avenue, the slaughterhouse compound or at the Ganza parking lot but this was ruled out in a meeting last Thursday.