With hubbub, the merchants of the largest municipal market in the country celebrated their 80th anniversary in the corridors that housed several generations and that, despite the different events, continue to work at the foot of the battle.
The Municipal Market No. 4, is located in the triangle of Pettirossi, Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia and Perú avenues, its 80 years are celebrated in accordance with the day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, patron saint of the place.
INDIFFERENCE
In the midst of the festivities developed this Saturday, the tenants did not miss the opportunity to continue requesting improvements to the site, since not long ago there was a raging fire that left severely damaged structures in its wake, and once again exposed the disorganized and precarious face of the market.
STORIES IN THE CORRIDORS
Many of the merchants spent their entire lives working in the place, continuing with their past generations, who arrived at the site on donkeys or carts, proving that it is an iconic point of commerce in Asunción.
The director of the famous Mercado 4, Juan Villalba, who took over six months ago, explained that they currently have significant progress in different aspects and that he encountered a lot of corruption, with parallel boxes that were eliminated and as a result a considerable increase was seen. in the collection reaching more than G. 1,500 million in concept of the canon, with a surplus of approximately G. 500 million with respect to the previous administration in the same period of time.
He asserted at the same time that there was a high delinquency on the part of the permit holders who owed even several years ago and managed to collect G. 720 million of that debt, thus reducing it by 40%.
“These substantial changes are due to the firmness of the new administration and the honest work and transparency that we demonstrate,” he commented.
SECURITY
Villalba indicated that security was another of the main points that they sought to improve. One of the main factors in the accidents was the poor electrical connection, which is why they are working with ANDE and the Municipality of Asunción, supplying 120 new meters, which reduces the percentage of risk.
REORDERING
Likewise, he stressed that they prepared a risk mapping, identified 15 important points in the eight blocks that make up Market 4, where underground distribution posts of the Ande, emergency exits and hydrants are located, which were gradually cleared reaching release 10 of them.
Overcrowding is another of the problems of the site, in total in terms of the occupation of public roads they have around 4,500 businesses, which generates a very deep transformation process that they seek to improve over time. Hygiene also improved, reaching three cleaning rotations, which was previously only one.
A new philosophy and better procedure
The director stated that on this anniversary they also celebrate the improvements and hope to continue to maintain transparency as the main point.
“We have resumed the agreement with Itaipu Binational to be able to complete the works on the building that had been abandoned, currently the plans are being readjusted and going through a bidding process that they call themselves, in this way Itaipu will execute and supervise the work and it will be more transparent,” he concluded.
