ILIGAN CITY — At least 167 stall owners lost their livelihoods after a fire damaged part of the EEDMO Building C Central Public Market in Zone 10, Barangay Poblacion, early Sunday, August 23.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze involved about 600 square meters of the market and reached the third alarm. Firefighters placed it under control at 3:02 a.m. and declared it out at 5:23 a.m.
Initial damage was estimated at P900,000, with no casualties reported.
But for affected vendors, the losses go beyond the damaged market. Many lost their stocks, equipment and capital needed to keep their businesses running.
Among them was Roman Bismion, 40, a father of three from Barangay Tambacan who sold cooking oil, salt, spices and other grocery items.
Bismion said he learned about the fire at around 2 a.m. and rushed to the market, but found his stall already destroyed.
“Wala na gyud nahibilin. Wala mi nakuha,” he said.
Two vehicles used for his business, a Bongo-type vehicle and a multicab, were also damaged.
His wife, Alnie Bismion, said they had recently restocked about 25 gallons of cooking oil and other goods.
She said around 30 containers of products, each worth about P2,100, were lost.
“Wala na gyud mi kwarta kay bag-o man nangompra,” she said.
Vendors seek space, capital
Another affected vendor, Arnel Daguman of Barangay Santiago, lost his chicken-products business, including three large freezers, foam containers and other equipment.
Daguman estimated his losses at P400,000 to P500,000.
“Wala gyuy napunit sa among mga gamit,” he said.
He said the fire also destroyed other belongings, including a Wi-Fi device, gas stove and knives.
Much of his business capital and equipment had been acquired through loans, making recovery harder now that his family has lost its source of daily income. Daguman has five children.
Despite the losses, he said he was grateful that his family was safe.
Daguman appealed to the government to provide temporary selling spaces so affected vendors can resume earning while the damaged market is being rebuilt.
“Matagaan mig lugar nga mabaligya-an namo nga makapadayun pud mi sa among negosyo,” he said.
He also asked for assistance with business capital, noting that many vendors rely on loans to finance their stocks and equipment.
The BFP continues to investigate the cause of the fire.
For the 167 affected stall owners, however, the immediate concern is how to get back to work after losing the businesses that support their families.
