Saturday, May 2, 2009
By Rimaliza Opiña
THE City Government appealed to vendors affected by the March 2 fire that gutted the market's vegetable section to have more patience as plans are now underway for the rehabilitation of the burned area.
The vendors' willingness to the fund restoration had to be set aside because of the possibility the structure, which they intend to build, might not conform to the design prepared by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO).
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In a press briefing, Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said the city had to insist on undertaking the restoration to ensure the structure will only be temporary.
In anticipation of a ruling to be made by higher court concerning a pending appeal of various vendors groups on a local court decision upholding validity of the ordinance and contract that gave rise to the Uniwide development deal, Fariñas said affected group should help in their own way, in the restoration.
The building will be collapsible, Fariñas said. Made mostly of steel frames, galvanized iron and some wood panels, it is estimated to cost P16,492,758.84, as per CBAO approximation.
The money will come from the P10 million earlier appropriated for the reconstruction of Rillera Building as contained in the 2008 annual investment plan (AIP) and the remainder will come from the 2008 unappropriated surplus.
As a start, either the committee on public works, headed by Councilor Antonio Tabora Jr., or the committee on market, headed by Councilor Elaine Sembrano, will be filing a proposed ordinance re-aligning the P10 million.
Reconstruction of the Rillera Building has likewise been stalled because of a separate case filed by another group of vendors. Pending the case's outcome, city officials agreed to re-align the amount.
The office of Sembrano clarified that the P600,000 earlier reported as fund for the repair represents only contingency funds for minor repairs, not a major one as what is being planned in the burned area covering the vegetable proper buildings 1 and 2, sari-sari, and tobacco sections.
The P600,000 represents the remaining balance from the market improvement fund, as per account of City Treasurer Thelma Manaois during the recently concluded market summit.
However, Sembrano's office clarified improvements demanded by vendors during the summit could not possibly come from the market improvement fund because this would entail more money than what is allotted.
Market improvement funds come from daily tax collections from vendors. Ten percent of total collections are used as contingency fund.
Fariñas, meanwhile, issued an appeal to vendors who, at every turn, file charges against the City Government.
He said it is their right to seek redress in court; however, some made use of this as an avenue to delay development.
"We welcome the filing of cases but be warned of its adverse effects," he said, as he alleged some of those who filed charges have personal interests in the market.
"The market is for the public not (for) just the vendors," he added.
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