City eyes establishment of more satellite markets

Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed city ordinance no. 97, series of 2023, strengthening the existing satellite markets and establishing additional district satellite markets in the Summer Capital, allocating funds therefor and for other purposes.

Authored by councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr., it allocates P5-Million from the city government’s general fund for the successful implementation of the approved measure and tasks the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) to identify potential areas where additional satellite markets can be established in districts where none are in place.

The ordinance also directs the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) to prepare a uniform design for the project and the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) to submit to the city council’s committee on market, trade, commerce and agriculture a periodic report on the status of all satellite markets operating within the city.

“Well managed satellite markets not only serve as a vital part of a healthy urban economy but also encourage innovation, create activity, and most of all, lower the cost of entry to the public market,” it states.

It claims that the establishment of satellite markets is the best solution to decongesting the Baguio City Public Market and streets in the central business district from itinerant vendors and market goers who, incidentally, are among the major contributors to traffic congestion in the area. – Gaby B. Keith