MANILA, Philippines ? The Quezon City government is planning to rehabilitate its eight public markets by turning them into mixed-use medium-rise buildings.

The city?s Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) has proposed the major renovation of the public markets in Kamuning, Project 2, Project 4, Roxas, San Jose, Murphy, Galas, and San Francisco del Monte.

The MDAD said the city?s public markets had been in existence for 35 years and were now deteriorating and badly in need of repair.

It added that growing populations required the expansion of the public markets.

Under the MDAD proposal, four-story mixed-use buildings will rise on the old public market sites.

The new establishments will have basement parking, wet and dry markets, food chains and shops at the second floor, and offices or residential units.

MDAD chief Neil Lina said in a statement that the conversion would not only improve the physical conditions of the public markets but also generate income for the city.

Based on current stall rates, he said the proposed project could generate additional revenue of P20-P25 million from rentals and business taxes.

Under the old Market Code of the defunct Metro Manila Commission, monthly stall rates ranged from P50 to P70 per square meter.

Lina said the rates were now ?unrealistic.?

The eight public markets currently has 1,754 stall holders.