TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The proposed construction of a modern market in barangay Bulanao purposely to modernize the city’s market facility broke ground Thursday to pave the way for the implementation of the public-private partnership (PPP) between the local government and the developer, XRC Mall Developer, Inc. for the realization of the multi-million project.
Mayor Darwin Estrañero and XRC Mall Developer Inc. chairman and CEO Alexander Cruz led the groundbreaking this morning at the Bulanao Public Market gym attended by Barangay Bulanao Centro officials, XRC executives, and other guests.
Mayor Estrañero said it is high time to turn the Bulanao Public market into a clean, modern facility where Tabukeños shop with convenience and vendors, both existing and new, are accommodated in orderly stall spaces at rental prices consistent with the city’s market code.
The Bulanao Public Market project is expected to bring in hundreds of millions worth of business to Tabuk City, a demonstration of Tabuk City’s position as an attractive investment destination for businesses and investors with the presence of a community mall as an added component of the project geared toward boosting the growth and development of the city being the third largest city in the country.
Construction is slated to begin in a few months prioritizing the construction of the new public market building complete with wet, dry, and general merchandise sections, and a 4,000 square meter area for ambulant vendors. Phase one of the project also includes the construction of a transport terminal.
Once construction of the public market is complete, phase two will commence with the construction of a community mall featuring a department store, a supermarket, food chains, entertainment venues and other amenities.
Estranero pointed out that all the issues and concerns being raised against the project had been acted upon by the local government and the developer prior to the groundbreaking ceremony but the city will continue to entertain similar concerns to ensure that all matters on the project will be addressed for the benefit of the greater majority of the populace.
According to him, one of the economic drivers of urban centers is the presence of a modern market facility that will serve not only as a business center but also part of the attractions that will help in boosting the efforts of the local government to generate additional jobs not only for the vendors but also those heavily impacted by the pandemic and similar economic activities that will provide alternative sources of livelihood for the people.
Tabuk is being groomed by the Regional development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera as the upcoming regional growth center because of the presence of adequate land holdings that could accommodate the implementation of expansion projects that will spur economic growth in the city and make the region an investment haven.
Estranero disclosed that the local government will continue to listen to the plight of the people on how to further improve the proposed modern market to ensure that it will become the city’s economic driver once it will be completed by the developer within the prescribed time frame so that people will be able to enjoy the new features of the market and other amenities that will be provided for their convenience when doing their marketing activities. By HENT
