By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the fire that struck the Manapla Public Market earlier this month and resulting in P58 million in damages, initial estimates suggested a figure of P45 million, Bacolod City Councilor Bartolome Orola, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets, called for inspections on all city markets.

According to Orola, Central, Burgos, and Libertad Public Markets must be inspected to ensure they are complying by all fire safety requirements. Particularly, old electrical wiring must be immediately checked as they pose a fire hazard if not repaired or replaced.

Earlier this month, around 65 stalls were destroyed after the Manapla Public Market caught fire.

Following the incident, the Negros Occidental provincial government provided P6 million in assistance and P20 million for market rehabilitation./DGB, WDJ