The Puerto Princesa old and new public markets will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Friday, March 27, with a suggested turn for market hours for those coming from urban barangays, said the acting market superintendent.
Joseph Vincent Carpio, the acting market superintendent, told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Thursday, this is to ensure that social distancing will be observed at the markets.
“Ito ang nai-isip nating pamamaraan para mapatupad natin ‘yong social distancing – disiplina, first and foremost disiplina. Kung susundin natin ito, mas maluwag ang ating palengke, mas convenient sa namimimili, mas mabilis nating mabibili ang ating [mga kailangan], mas mabilis tayong makauuwi sa ating mga bahay, mas lesser ‘yong ating risk na makuha natin ‘yong virus,” said Carpio.
Carpio stated included in the document released by the City Government are 35 urban barangays in Puerto Princesa grouped and arranged with their own prescribed market hours.
However, Carpio said a household representative from rural barangays may go to the city public markets anytime until 5 p.m., in kind consideration to their distance.
The window time of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. is suggested for those households from Barangays Mandaragat, Bagong Sikat, Matahimik, Masikap, Maunlad, Pagkakaisa, Magkakaibigan, Tagumpay, and Bagong Pag-asa; while residents from Barangays Tiniguiban, Sta. Monica, Sicsican, and Irawan, may extend a little bit more until 11 a.m.
The 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. market hours are the turn of Barangays San Miguel, Model, Kalipay, Milagrosa, Masipag, Matiyaga, Tanglaw, Masigla, and Maligaya.
The 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. time period is suggested for Barangays San Manuel, Tagburos, San Jose, and Sta. Lourdes.
On the other hand, the 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. time period is suggested for Barangays San Pedro, Bancao-Bancao, Maningning, Manggahan, Bagong Silang, Princesa, Mabuhay, San Isidro, and Liwanag.
Carpio said it was the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that recently advised a whole day market operation within the entire country during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
He said it is his obligation to ensure that social distancing and order will be observed during the whole day at the public market, thus released this suggested turn for households from urban barangays to avoid congestion and spread of COVID-19.
Carpio said the assigned market hours for the group of barangays were adopted and approved after proper consolidation with the authorities, including the association of vendors.
“It was an idea of mine na sinasabi ko paano ko male-lessen ‘yong volume ng tao sa palengke at one time. Para mayroon tayong guide,” said Carpio.
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