HNU poll shows residents prefer commercial center for Agora

A recent survey conducted by the Holy Name University (HNU) this year showed that practically half of Tagbilaran City residents prefer the conversion of the moth-balled Agora building into a commercial complex.

The HNU survey, conducted between March 11-26, revealed that 49 percent of those polled preferred the conversion of the Agora into a commercial complex while only 27 percent believed it should be completed as a public market. Of the 49%, 44 percent expressly preferred that it be converted into a commercial complex while 4.7% believed it will have to be repaired and leased out to traders. The results of the survey practically affirmed the position of the administration of Mayor Dan Lim to convert the Agora into a commercial complex in a bid to salvage whatever remained of the edifice that has become Tagbilaran's Loboc bridge.

While Lim had opposed the construction of the project during the term of former Mayor Jose Torralba, the incumbent said he considers it his duty to make use of the edifice during his term. “We cannot do anything about the past but we can do something about the future,” the mayor declared in explaining his vision to complete the building but no longer for its intended purpose as a public market. Lim had consistently pointed out that the present Agora square has outlived its usefulness as a public market considering the growth of the city. He warned that to return the market to Agora will mean monstrous traffic jams that will multiply the present bottlenecks several times over.

The limited space will also mean there will be very limited parking spaces for market goers who will drive their own vehicles. Lim had also argued against a multi-level market, pointing out that even the Carbon market in Cebu showed that stalls in the second level will not be patronized, forcing vendors to sell their wares in the parking areas and streets instead.

The mayor however admitted that being in the center of the city, the Agora square is a very precious resource that must be put to good use instead of wasting away. Lim's proposal to convert the building into a commercial complex has gained increasing support from residents as the HNU poll showed. Although there are those who continue to hope that it will be reverted to its old use, the survey showed virtually half of the residents agree with the mayor that the Agora has been overtaken by the city's growth.

In the same poll, practically 80% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the quality of service delivery they have received from the different City Hall offices. The highest satisfaction rating came from those in the class D bracket, from mals and from those in ages 18 to 24. At the same time, 59% of the respondents said they are aware of the infrastructure projects initiated by the city government including the proposed Big Dome, the road repairs, the drainage work and those relating to waterworks projects in the outskirts. The respondents also agreed with the priority programs and social service priorities with 36% aware of the distribution of free uniforms to public school children and also the free hospitalization program given to indigents through Lim's Blue Card program.

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