Bayanihan, strong leadership helping Baguio market rise from fire ruins

Clearing up a large swath of fire destruction and restoring the livelihood of 1,642 displaced vendors in seven days following the fire might be a tall order but city officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and hordes of workers and volunteers from public and private sectors are out to prove it is doable with strong leadership and cooperative effort.

Post-fire clean-up and rebuilding efforts at the affected area which makes up a third of the entire city market are swiftly progressing judging from the day-to-day updates.

Magalong who had been at the forefront of the ambitious 7-day campaign to restore normalcy said both the public and private sectors stepped up to achieve the lofty goal.

He said help had been pouring in — from the much needed manpower to muck out charred debris to donations in cash and in kind to alleviate the plight of the vendors as well as prop up the volunteer workers doing the muscle work.

Private groups and individuals reached out providing needs of the operations – from the lowly “used sako” to the mighty cranes, from simple meals to big sums of money — all proving that bayanihan spirit is alive in the city.

As of March 17, 2023 or day 5 of the campaign, a big portion of the burned area had been cleaned and cleared ready for some restoration works for reoccupation by the displaced vendors.

Massive clean-up and restoration works will continue until all the affected vendors are given proper spaces.

Temporary relocation sites along Hilltop and second Kayang had either been in the process of completion or have been completed and now occupied by the vendors located in streets and parks found safe and suitable with makeshift stalls being built through concerted efforts of the public workers and private volunteers.

City Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio said a total of 124 dry goods, 50 refreshments and 10 eateries were able to reopen at the Rillera Bldg starting March 16, 2023.

He said drawing of lots for the 84 spaces at Malcolm Square and 32 spaces at Igorot Garden for dry goods sellers transpired last March 16, 2023 for a total of 116 slots drawn among 500 affected garment vendors.

The city council led by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan in a special session on March 16, 2033 adopted legislations that would allow the use of Malcolm Square and Perfecto St. as temporary relocation sites.

The aldermen also approved the P8 million fund for the rehabilitation of Blocks 3 and 4 which has been certified available by the Local Finance Committee.

“I have given out a tall order on Sunday that we need to restore market operations in seven days. It is an ambitious project and undertaking but we have to push ourselves to the limit.  Binibilisan natin ang recovery so their daily livelihood will not be disrupted.  Let us continue pushing ourselves to the limit for our vendors,” he rallied.  – Aileen P. Refuerzo