The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority gave its full support to the construction of the People’s Market in Parañaque City, a permanent home for illegal vendors who have been a perennial problem in the area of Baclaran for half a century now.
“We shall help in the realization of this project – in terms of coordination, providing legal and technical assistance, and even research – all for the welfare of the vendors not only in Baclaran but in other areas,” said MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos on Friday joined Mayor Edwin Olivarez and other city government officials in the site inspection and groundbreaking ceremony of the P150-million project.
The MMDA chief believes the Baclaran People’s Market (BPM) will provide formal livelihood, employment and economic opportunities not only to the marginalized constituents of Parañaque but also to those living in neighboring cities.
“It is also the hope of the MMDA that this project will help in addressing the perennial traffic problems in the area,” he said.
The project will be funded by the city government after it turned down a private-public-partnership proposal of a private construction firm.
Olivarez said they will construct the BPM across the Redemptorist Church to help thousands of displaced vendors because of the government’s road clearing operations.
The facility will have access to the Light Rail Transit 1 Cavite extension project station, loading and unloading zone for public utility vehicles, overhead pedestrian crossing, and parking areas that would benefit both marketgoers and vendors.