ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The city government is constructing a P45-million commercial building inside the Zamboanga City public market complex in this city aimed at ensuring the comfort and convenience of marketgoers and occupants.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the construction of the new building is part of the efforts of the city government to promote the public market and also serves as the city government’s flagship project for this year.

The mayor said the building when completed will house some 200 stall occupants engaged in various businesses like grocery or sale of dry goods, eateries, barter trade goods and dried fish.

The over 200 stall occupants are the original occupants in the area and are now temporarily housed in various areas inside the five-hectare public market area, Lobregat said.

Since 2007, the Lobregat administration has undertaken repair and construction of various buildings inside the main market in line with the market modernization program.

The main market is one of the economic enterprises of this city aside from the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex, Bagsakan Center, Cold Storage and the City Abattoir.