BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance providing for the preparation and implementation of a Baguio City District Satellite market Development and Upgrading Plan.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Elaine D. Sembrano stated the local legislative measure shall endeavour the construction and establishment of at least 7 district satellite markets outside the city’s central business district.
The development of satellite markets shall be included in the priority list of the city’s local development plan and shall be implemented through the medium-term development plan and for a completion period of 9 years as a measure to decongest the city’s public market and in response to the projected development or expansion of the city’s suburbs.
The ordinance added the annual fund allocation for the purpose shall be continuing to ensure the implementation of the development and upgrading of the satellite markets.
The ordinance mandated the creation of a City Satellite Market Development and Upgrading Plan Committee which shall be composed of the City Mayor as Chairperson and to be co-chaired by the City Planning and Development Office with the membership composed of the City Treasurer, City Budget Officer, City Building official, Chairperson of the Committee on Market of the City Council, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, representative of the local business sector, representative of the United Architects of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet chapter and the punong barangay where the satellite market is located.
The committee shall facilitate the identification and documentation of the appropriate site for each barangay cluster pursuant to zoning and other restrictions; facilitate the selection and preparation of the market building design as provided for by the local legislative measure and recommend to the office of the local chief executive or the city council measures for the prompt and smooth implementation of the project.
Sembrano recommended the lot area for the satellite market shall not be less than 1,000 square meters and the City Lands Needs Committee, in coordination with the barangays of the district, shall qualify, identify and secure such parcel of land for the construction of the proposed district satellite market.
She proposed there shall be a uniform design for all of the district satellite markets and the building design and concept shall be prepared by the City Buildings and Architecture Office in close coordination with the United Architects of the Philippines–Baguio-Benguet chapter considering certain parameters such as, a green building design, a building character unique to the city and a structure that conforms to the current trend for a busy commercial area.
Further, existing satellite market should meet the area requirement and the same shall be renovated and reconstructed to conform to the new building design to be adopted by the committee created for the said purpose.
The ordinance claimed the district satellite markets, upon completion, shall be under the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA), which shall have direct supervision and control of the same pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
By Dexter A. See