A LAWMAKER proposed a measure to renovate Bankerohan Public Market to attract more customers and increase income.
Councilor Ragde Niño Ibuyan, chairperson of the committee of government enterprises and privatization of the 21st City Council, said the public market is the convergence of the business area of Davao, hence the need for refurbishing.
“Mas gwapo kung tagaan nato na ug general improvement kay dinha nagakompra halos tanan. Ug isa ni sa pinaka-dako na public market sa Mindanao,” Ibuyan said in an interview with city-run Disaster Radio.
The councilor shared plans to establish a Pasalubong Center on the second floor of the public market.
“Pwede ta mag-introduce didto ug mga unique products ug Pasalubong Centers nga di pud sya basta-basta makita anywhere,” he stressed.
Bankerohan Public Market has generated P60.7 million in revenue in 2024, he said.
In 2024, Mayor Sebastian Duterte ordered the demolition of stalls outside the market premises to make way for the vendors inside.
Some vendors were relocated to the second floor of the market, but eventually went back to display on the streets, reporting reduced sales as marketgoers prefer to buy outside rather than walk a flight of stairs.
TIMES checked the second-floor market building on July 5, 2024, and only five vendors were present, and the rest of the slots remained unoccupied.
Some vendors lamented the poor hygiene of the area due to droppings of birds that frequent the ceiling.
Ibuyan said the general refurbishing of the market will require additional funding, and it to be coordinated with the City Economic Enterprise.
