The Parañaque City government held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Baclaran Gateway and People’s Market (BGPM) on Feb. 12 that will serve as the permanent home for illegal vendors.
Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the groundbreaking, part of the celebration of the 23rd cityhood anniversary today, Feb. 13, was attended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos, General Manager Jojo Garcia and Rep. Eric Olivarez.
Olivarez said the multi-million project, to be funded by the city government, will help in providing a permanent site for illegal vendors along Redemptorist Road and the surrounding area.
The multi-level People’s Market will be constructed on a one-hectare vacant land located along Roxas Boulevard fronting Redemptorist Church in Baclaran.
“All of our vendors in the People’s Market will be permanent and legal. The BGPM will be the permanent solution to help our more than 3,000 vendors including our Muslim brothers to earn a living,” said Olivarez.
He added that the facility will help the public have easy access to the LRT 1 Cavite Extension 1 project. The LRT-1 extension project will extend trips from the Baclaran Station to the future Niyog Station in Bacoor City, Cavite.
Mar Jimenez, the city’s public information chief, said the city government initially allotted P100-million for the construction of the People’s Market.
In his speech, Abalos said the MMDA will look for additional funds to help the Paranaque City government in funding the construction of the People’s Market.