By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY – The city’s decision to accept proposals from big companies triggered criticisms from some quarters, and raised doubts and apprehension not just on the fate of the existing vendors but also that of small businesses around the market complex. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (Photo from Benjie Magalong - Public Servant / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE) Recently, the city received offers from Robinsons Land Corporation and SM Prime Holdings Inc., and is expecting two more big firms to file proposals for the rehabilitation of the Baguio City Public Market. With this, Mayor Benjamin Magalong reiterated that the welfare of the vendors at the city market will be the city’s main consideration in pursuing the long-delayed redevelopment of the city public market. Magalong, said there was no truth to claims that the city government will leave the management of the city market to other parties, and that the fate of the market vendors in the hands of a private company. “I am assuring you that even if we pursue the public-private partnership in the market development, the city market will continue to be owned and managed by the city government and not the private company,” Magalong said. As to fears that they could be deprived of stalls in the new market, Magalong said legitimate vendors will be retained, and their well-being prioritized in the venture which, he said, will also put a stop to the illegal activities of unscrupulous stallholders, who have operated in the market for so long. He ordered an audit and inventory of the stalls to determine the exact number of legitimate vendors, even as he encouraged occupants who bought rights or are subleasing the spaces to file complaints, assuring that they will be protected by the city government. He also welcomed the plan of the vendors’ groups to submit their own offer to undertake the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) joint venture, saying the city was eagerly awaiting their unsolicited proposal. He said the vendors groups have two chances to tender their offer: first at the initial stage where they can submit an unsolicited proposal which along with the other offers will be evaluated by the city to select the best one to be given the original proponent status; and second at a later stage when they challenge the original proposal. “Most of those opposing the project are those whose illegal activities are threatened by the cleansing and we are going to make sure that only those with legitimate claims will remain,” he said. He said the city was still in the process of accepting unsolicited proposals for evaluation and selection of the best one to be given the original proponent status and with whom the city will negotiate. After this, the city will craft the terms of reference for publication and will then accept other proposals to challenge the offer of the original proponent. Magalong said they target to start the project implementation by the third quarter of the year and complete the project or at least the market section of it by 2022.