The public continues to question why so few public markers are truly clean. It is something I have questioned and written about previously.
This column is an “eye-opener” to government official as it should remind them, with all the infrastructure being built, there have only been a few projects focused on keeping public markets clean.
Public plazas have been rehabilitated, monuments and landmarks underwent beautification, jogging lanes were created but who has prioritized cleaning up markets?
Bacolod City public markets have remained the same for four decades—no improvement. In a column published last March, “Why cleanliness is taken for granted,” I posed the question: “When was the last time a fire truck sprayed down the area?” Nothing has been done to sanitize the market of bacteria that has been living there for decades.
Talisay City has also maintained a “stinky market,” which gets murkier during the rainy season. While the city has a new ambulance and other health service vehicles, the place where food is displayed has not been given the same importance.
However, Bago City prioritized the construction of new structures as their public market. Mayor Nicholas Yulo realized his constituents deserve a clean public market.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City’s Manokan Country is a culinary destination that has neglected their comfort rooms.
In a November 2018 column, “Health permits should not be permits when the toilets are dirty,” I wrote, “Manokan Country is one of the best examples, selling the best chicken inasal on the planet but with the most unsanitary toilets—not one government official has lifted a finger to impose strict hygiene and sanitation standards.”
Is this the responsibility of the public or private sector?
They say Manokan Country tenants are millions in debt, if that is true, why are they still allowed to be business? Is the government not interested in promoting law-abiding stall operators?

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This column greets Felipe Lacson, Chick Garcia, Danny Dangcalan, Rodel Parcon, Nonong dela Cruz, Chino Ang, Stephen Sy, Francis Velez, Tony Agustin, Ben Lopez, Jr., Bobby Tan, Reuben Tampos, Richard Oquendo, Mimir Guanco, Joy Lao, and Liezl Torres /WDJ