TABUK CITY, Kalinga – On May 21-23, some 37 stall owners and merchants from Bulanao Public Market participated in a three-day benchmarking session in the Xentro Mall in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and the Sto. Domingo Market in Tuguegarao City, to learn more about modernization in the city.
The exercise was supported by the city government under Mayor Darwin Estrañero’s leadership, and was documented by the City Public Information Office headed by Aurora Amilig and several of her staff.
The benchmarking activity seeks to give the representatives of the market vendors and stall owners an idea about the Xentro mall and market that are now operating in other areas, in relation to the installation of similar infrastructures at the Bulanao Public Market this year.
During the exposure at Xentro Mall Vigan, Mall Manager Christina Joven took the participants on a tour of the building and highlighted some of their assets, including their comfort rooms conferred the Golden Kubeta award for being the cleanest comfort rooms in the country.
The attendees were able to appreciate the general structure of the mall in Vigan, which was developed in accordance with the city’s ordinance to preserve their heritage by building a state-of-the-art mall with a Spanish touch. They were also able to gain an understanding of how the mall is managed.
The participants performed a Kalinga dance for the public as part of their visit, exhibiting the rich culture of the Ikalingas, which was well received by mall patrons.
May Bollecer, representing Barangay Bulanao Centro, stated their team has gained a lot of knowledge about the management and operation of the proposed mall and public market in Bulanao. She explained that they now have something to offer some of the suppliers because of their hands-on experience.
One of the market representatives, Espiritu Alos, enjoyed the immersion provided by the city and the Xentro mall management, and has promised to be an advocate in persuading other traders to support the modernization of Bulanao Public Market.
Mayor Darwin Estrañero has been outspoken in his support for investors who are bringing development to Tabuk for the benefit of the people and the city’s economic progress.
Prior to the benchmarking activity, several stall owners have begun voluntarily deconstructing their businesses last week in anticipation for the market’s development.
By Ian Jefrey Addatu
