BACOLOD CITY – The Bago Public Market in Barangay Maquiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental officially opened on Wednesday, Dec. 18, after a two-year rehabilitation.
THE NEW Bago Public Market in Barangay Maquiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental was unveiled on Wednesday, Dec. 18. (Photo courtesy of I Love Sagay)
The once makeshift market that served vendors for decades was transformed into one of the largest public markets in the city and now has improved facilities for vendors and customers.
City Engineer Jezreel Alingco said that P62 million was spent for the project that started in August 2022 – P60 million from a loan and P2 million from city government funds.
The project started under the administration of former Mayor now Negros Occidental second district Rep. Alfredo Marañon III.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. who led the inauguration said the market is a cultural and economic center.
Javelosa said that the market serves as a gathering place where vendors from Sagay and neighboring towns converge to sell their goods and foster commerce and cultural exchange.
The market that expanded to 7,400-square meters has a wastewater treatment facility, drainage system, perimeter fencing, and a materials recovery facility.
The market was organized into restaurants, fruit and sari-sari stalls, meat, fish, and dry goods sections.
Barangay Maquiling Chairman Miraluna Diotay said the market has been a vital part of the community since the 1950s.
Diotay recalled people from the highlands would come down to barter their farm products with fish, shrimp paste, and other goods from the lowlands.
The market grew over the years with vendors setting up temporary stalls particularly on market days Fridays and Saturdays.
The new market is expected to significantly improve the livelihood of vendors and provide a more organized and efficient space for trade.
Diotay thanked people involved in the project that would enhance the local economy and the vendors' conditions.
Market management is supervised by the Environment and Economic Management Office. A public hearing is scheduled to discuss stall rates and other operational matters.
Aside from the Bago Public Market, the city government has upgraded the Sagay City Farmers’ Market, Vito Public Market, and Paraiso Public Market.
The construction of the new Old Sagay Public Market is underway. All projects were initiated during the administration of Mayor Marañon.