The city government of Manila on Wednesday promised some 500 stall holders that a new, better and more organized Pritil Market in Tondo will soon be constructed. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan assured that the new market will not be privatized and continue to offer fair prices to marketgoers. The mayor inspected the old Pritil Market which was gutted by fire last week, displacing a total of 491 stall holders selling wet and dry goods. She asked for the vendors’ patience who for now have to occupy a temporary vending area while the local government sources funds for the construction of what will be called “Bagong Pritil Market”. A uniform size of all stalls at the new market would also be implemented. She also informed the vendors that the city government will be giving financial assistance amounting to at least PHP5,000. An additional cash aid will be provided by the office of Rep. (First District) Ernix Dionisio, under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. Lacuna added that the whole market will have to be torn down to give way to the construction of a new one as the old structure had been rendered not fit for any rehabilitation anymore. The fire that razed the entire 6,000 square-meter market on April 28 and left at least PHP110 million worth of damage. Also present during the inspection are Vice Mayor Yul Servo, City Engineer Armand Andres Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau head Zenaida Viaje and Dionisio

Source: Philippines News Agency