‘WE’RE NOT LEFT BEHIND’: Market vendors thankful to SM, Iloilo City Gov’t for upskilling, revamping markets
Entrepreneur, Actor, Model RJ Ledesma was the talks to Iloilo City's market vendors during the Vendor Success Entrepreneurial Insights for Market Excellence during the Capacity Development Training program of the Iloilo City Government and SM.
“Indi na kami ma-left behind, may ipabugal man bala kami.” (We will not be left behind, we have something to be proud of)
Fresh from participating in the recent capacity development training organized by SM Prime Holdings and Iloilo City Government, eatery owner Victoria Doctolero, 54, of the Iloilo Central Market or Tienda Mayor, expressed more confidence as an entrepreneur.
According to Doctolero, the holistic approach of going beyond just redeveloping the central market and the Iloilo Terminal Market, initiated by the city government and SM, is a significant help for the growth of their businesses.
With the public-private partnership, novel initiatives are now being materialized, benefiting not just the vendors and marketgoers but the whole Ilonggo community.
“May financial aid na kag training pa. Sin-o man abi maghuna sina. Sang una hindi ko na ya kabalo mag GCash, subong excited na ko,”(We have financial aid and trainings. Who would have thought that we will be provided with such. Before II do not know how to use GCash, now I am so excited), Doctolero said.
She further expressed enthusiasm for doing business back in the market once the redevelopment is completed.
“Excited kami nga makasulod na kay siyempre naga-look forward man kami sang matinlo kag presentable nga klase sang market,”(We are excited that we can already enter the market, of course we are looking forward to a cleaner and presentable market), she added.
Based on her learnings during trainings, she has come up with plans on how to improve or even expand her business.
“Kanami nga programa sang SM kag city government kay sa akon pag-analisar gina-equip kami para to the next level na ang amon pag-negosyo,” The project of SM and the Iloilo City Government is very good because as I analyze it, we are being equipped to bring our business to the next level), she added.
According to Mayor Jerry P. Treńas, the redevelopment works for the two biggest markets are expected to be completed by December this year.
Another karinderya owner named Marlyn Francisco, 51, also shared the same gratitude and optimism for the soon-to-be-completed Central Market.
She expressed that she did not hesitate to support the market redevelopment, believing it would be beneficial for all the stakeholders, especially the market vendors.
“Manami ang tanan, matinlo. Thank you gid kay SM nga nagbulig gid. Pila ka tuig nga kahigku sang Central (Market), until nag-offer sya partnership sa city government. Excited man ko. Kabay pa makabalik na kami sa sulod sa December,” Everything is good. Thank you to SM who really helped. It’s been so many years that the Central market is very dirty until it(SM) offered the partnership to the city government. Hoping that we can already come back inside come December), she added.
She is also thankful for the capability training organized for their empowerment.
“Nami gid kay damu-damo kami may nabal-an kon paano namon ma-build up ang amon nga negosyo,” (Its really nice because we learned a lot on how to build-up our business), she added.