By Mae Singuay

More than 200 vendors in two major public markets in Bacolod City could face eviction.

The wet sections of Libertad South and Central markets could not accommodate 300 and 200 vendors, respectively, who applied for space despite renovations.

Councilor Celia Flor, city council’s Committee on Markets chairperson, said vendors would have to draw lots for the 150 available spaces in Libertad South Market and 120 in Central Market.

Flor explained that these markets had other spaces, but were not intended for wet goods such as meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables.

With this, the city also eyed offering 40 available spaces in Burgos Market for the displaced vendors or referring them to satellite markets.

The drawing of lots for the Libertad Market will be on February 21, while the drawing for the Central Market is yet to be announced.

Libertad South and Central markets were among the three, including Bacolod North market in Burgos, that each received P50-million renovation allocations from the Department of Budget and Management in 2022.

The rehabilitation of the city’s three major public markets is part of the immediate local economic recovery plan from the COVID-19 pandemic./MS, WDJ