Zambales vendors to build own market

Frustrated by the slow action from the local government, small businessmen and vendors here have figured out a way to reconstruct their public market that was destroyed by a fire two years ago.

Gilbert Sarmiento, 55, said a market building is important because vendors in this capital have been selling their wares on sidewalks or in a temporary area allotted to them by the local government.

“Many shops have since closed down and so many jobs were lost,” he said.

The fire on December 29, 2009, razed more than P100 million worth of merchandise and stalls.

“Most Iba residents get their livelihood from the public market—as a seller, trader, supplier or worker,” he said.

Zaima Galvez, a sari-sari store owner, said life has been difficult after the fire. “Selling is chaotic because we are scattered all over the place and we are disorganized. We can’t wait to have a place where we can [sell regularly],” she said.

It was this difficulty, along with the frustration over the delays on the reconstruction of the public market that led more than 100 stall owners and vendors to form a group that sought ways to build a new market.

Sarmiento said their group looked for investors and asked help from local officials to guide them in a public-private partnership.

Although town officials have considered other plans on how to reconstruct the market, they believe that this is the best alternative, Councilor Isagani Yap said.

“It will not cost the town anything, but it will generate revenue in the form of real property taxes, fees and the like. It will serve the best interests of the people, and will also bring in investments to Iba,” he said.

Under the scheme, the cost of the construction will be financed by a private firm and the stalls will be made available to anyone who wants to buy them.

He said the public market will still be supervised by the town government but the vendors will have the option of owning their stalls once they have settled their obligations to the market builder.

“Also, our local producers will be able to sell their goods at the public market. This will spur the local economy,” he said.

Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II said the provincial government supports the project. “We commend the [small entrepreneurs who] pushed for it. They have been waiting for so long to [get back on their feet]. Now, that’s possible through this initiative,” he said.

He said that the public-private partnership concept, on which the public market of Iba will be built, is good and will benefit residents here and in neighboring towns.

Sarmiento said building plans for the new public market have been drawn up and funding has been secured by a private firm.

“Construction can start within the year. Hopefully, by next year, it will be finished. When that happens, we will have our livelihood back,” he said.