MANILA, Philippines ? Several streets in Pasay City have been cleared of street vendors with the construction of a new two-story public market at the corner of Taft and Arnaiz Avenues.

Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad Monday led the inauguration of the new public market which has a floor area of 3,240-sq m. It also houses 642 stalls for wet goods and 208 stalls for dry goods.

?This new public market is our legacy to the residents of Pasay City and we should be proud to finally have this after a long time because it is a must,? Trinidad said.

?With the opening of a clean, decent and organized market, people will now find it convenient to buy their basic needs like meat, fish, vegetables, rice and other grocery items,? he added.

The opening of the market has helped ease traffic in the area as street vendors on P. Villanueva and Market Road Streets were relocated to the new facility.

Market master Eddie Mendoza said they would be targeting next the vendors on Makabayan and Primero de Mayo Streets and a portion of Taft Avenue.

?By then, other street vendors like those selling fruits, wholesale rice, and other foodstuff, would also be accommodated as soon as their spaces are ready,? Mendoza said.

The market will have a parking lot, its own public address system, weighing scales, clean restrooms, generator, sewerage treatment plant, exhaust blower, electric/water meters, a deep well pump and a consumer welfare desk.