As 2016 nears, Mar Roxas resurrecting ‘Mr. Palengke’

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — As if reliving his “Mr. Palengke” campaign, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas visited a public market in Bukidnon Province on Thursday morning.

Welcomed by shrieks of his supporters, Roxas went to the Valencia City Central Market, which is a recipient of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s bottom-up budgeting, and checked the prices of commodities here.

The standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party said he never lost the “Mr. Palengke” (Mr. Marketplace) in him despite being given other duties.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa napakainit na pagtanggap nila dito sa palengke ng Valencia at nasasariwa ang mga alaala ko noong ako ay nakilala bilang Mr. Palengke,” (I am thankful for your warm welcome. You remind me of when I was known as Mr. Palengke) he said.

“Hindi naman nawala sa akin ang pagiging Mr Palengke. Nag-iba lang ako ng tungkulin. Sa kahit anong trabaho, parating nandoon pa rin tayo,” (Mr. Palengke never left me. I just took another responsibility. In everything I do, it remains with me) he added.

He stressed that focus should be put on public markets as these are centers of commerce in a community.

After meeting his supporters in the market, Roxas visited 27 families who evacuated to a stadium after flooding hit Valencia City on August 4.