The Talisay City government is looking into a public private partnership for the development of its public market, plaza and old city hall into a heritage park under a long-term development plan, its city administrator, Jovim Entila, said yesterday.

This will also include the area where the old jail and fire department are located, he said.

A private partner will be sought for the overhaul of the whole public market, Entila said.

The new market is envisioned to include space for jeepney and tricycle terminals, offices, a food court, a wet market and a dry goods section, he said.

Current tenants of the market will be assured of space in the renovated market, he added.

The jail has been moved to Barangay Matab-ang while the fire, police and other national offices will be relocated to an area behind the new Talisay City Hall, he said.

Talisay Mayor Eric Saratan has tapped the help of the PPP Center of the Philippines in this venture, Entila said.

The DAILY STAR has received calls from several tenants of the public market expressing concern that they could be dislocated, that rent at the new market would be raised beyond their means, and that big business would kill small Talisay entrepreneurs.

Mayor Eric Saratan could not, however, be reached for comment despite numerous calls and text messages sent to him for three days.*CPG

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