The long-time dream of having flood-free public markets will soon become a reality.
Both vendors and buying public will have relief from the inconvenience caused by perennial flooding.
The Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings are now carefully planning the New Central and Terminal (Super) Public Markets to ensure that the facilities are flood-proof.
The initiatives and innovations are anchored on the City’s WHEELS Program prioritizing Welfare, Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood, and Sustainability for the benefit of the Ilonggos.
“The development of public markets will deliver greater convenience for customers while vendors will be more competitive,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas stressed.
“Effective drainage system is included in the plans. The improvement will make it easier and more accessible for the public when buying their needs in the markets. We foresee enhanced economic activities in downtown areas,” Treñas said.
“In the same way the SM Supermalls were built, SM Prime turns rainwater from a foe to a friend by building rainwater catchments to harvest large volumes of rainwater, particularly in flood-prone areas, helping keep neighboring communities to be safe and flood-free,” SM Supermalls President Steven Tan said.
A rainwater harvesting system and wastewater treatment plant will also be in place to ensure a steady supply of clean water, he added.
To date, a total of 22 SM Supermalls can catch and store a total of 79,880 m3 of rainwater, equivalent to almost 32 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Sustainability as well as Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience are part of SM Prime’s core business strategy, hence these are factored into every development. (Iloilo City PIO)
