Bakasi: A Sustainable Wet Market And Fishport

In The Municipality Of Cordova, Cebu

Cordova is a coastal municipality in Cebu's island province. Two researchers are local

Cordova residents who identify themselves as "Cordovanhons." Growing up near the sea, the

two researchers developed a passion for marine-related interests, especially seafood cuisine. One

of researcher’s Two's father is a local fisherman, and she witnessed(delete) the many

fishermen's(delete) struggle to sell their catch on the market. The current location, size, and

condition of Cordova's wet market make it difficult for the suppliers and consumers to have an

efficient trade.

The evidence collected by the researchers

The completion of CCLEX attracted international attention to Cordova. By constructing

a world-class wet market and giving fishermen a designated area to facilitate efficient trading,

Cordova can live up to its status as "Cebu's Fishing Town" and improve the fishing industry.

Figure 1.1 The Rise of Cordova, Cebu’s Fishing Town

 Cordova is densely populated with fishermen, with 18 official organizations. A large

number of fishermen have been displaced as a result of recent reclamation work. Although the

LGU of Cordova suggested an alternative livelihood program, Cordova’s planning

department thought that providing them with a designated trading area close to the sea and

relocating the municipality's wet market would be preferable.

Figure 1.2 Situation of Cordova’s Fisherfolks

The municipality has two trading centers. The primary public markets are Poblacion and

Barangay Pilipog, where fishermen immediately sell their fresh catch. However, due to former

Mayor Teche Sitoy-ongoing Cho's on-going reconstruction of Cordova Public Market in

Poblacion, Cordova, and thus the local task forces urged the market vendors' concerns to be

transferred temporarily to the market site situated at Catarman, Cordova. (please explain/add the

Pilipog current location and size, that make it difficult for the suppliers and consumers to have

an efficient trade. – you only described the condition below)

 Figure 1.3. The need to relocate

The Pilipog wet market lacks proper waste disposal and vendor spaces, leading several

other vendors to sell along the road. In addition, there is disorganized, random parking of

customers, which causes traffic congestion, especially after the completion of the CCLEX. As a

result, the LGU's planning department realized that the Pilipog wet market needs to be relocated.

Figure 1.4. Existing Cordova Wet Market’s dire situation

 The ongoing reconstruction of the Cordova Public Market will serve as the town's dry

market. However, the Local Government Unit recognized that disposing of liquid and fish waste

would be problematic due to the site's location, mainly because there are residents nearby

causing pollution and diseases.

Figure 1.5. The need to separate the wet and dry markets

The support of the topic

The researchers went to the Engineering Office at Cordova's Municipal Center and were

given several project recommendations to consider, including the new Cordova Wet Market

project proposal. The researchers suggested incorporating a fish port, which the department

agreed with and strongly supported. The planned site is Barangay Buagsong, particularly along

the Cordova Sea area. Undertaking this study will enhance Cordova's seafood industry and

improve the lives of the local fishermen.

 BAKHAWAN: A Biophilic Government Complex

in the Municipality of Cordova, Cebu

● Riza was having difficulty processing government paperwork(.) since She needed would

always have to go to the city and it would take too much time, energy, and money to

process everything.

● Jeremay realized that the Municipality of Cordova is lacking in lacks government, public
and basic offices.

● Sweetzy recognized Cordova's potential and realized that their present municipal office

neededs to be upgraded to accommodate anticipate the town's rapid development and

accommodate the growing population.

EVIDENCE

● Only few government offices are present in the municipality.

Cordova's growing territory and population will need a one stop shop government

complex with all the important offices and stations that would cater to the needs of every

local residents, and non-local domestic and international visitors, and investors.

● The existing government offices are all over the place scattered elsewhere and hard
to locate
(give s copule examples of offices and their locations.. better also describe the disruption
of the process flow due to distances)

SUPPORT

The researchers proceeded to the Engineering Office and Land Use Planning Office, and

they were informed that the Local Government Unit realized that Cordova has many misplaced

and improperly located government buildings(.) and that In order to be a competitive city, the

municipality needs urban planning and zoning. The researchers transformed intends to advance
the LGU’S proposed new city hall into a Government Complex, and the engineers have given

their support to the researchers for this study in order to offer vital data for the research.

“Biawan Heritage Block: Urban Heritagization

around Cordova’s Heritage Museum in Cebu, Philippines”

Cordova's tremendous progress and continuing development initiatives reflect the city's

immense potential to become a world-class tourist destination. In light of this, the researchers

believe that this is an incredible opportunity for Cordova to promote not just its tourism but also

its rich history, culture, customs, and heritage to the world. According to the researchers, The

current Cordova Museum's capacity to promote its culture is being wasted. The historical

artifacts, paintings, and interiors are not being adequately kept and maintained. One of the

researchers also witnessed the demolition of Cordova's Freedom Plaza, where the monuments of

the great Cordovanhon heroes previously stand, was ruined and no more. Furthermore, one of the

researchers, who is a non-Cordovanhon, was only familiar with Cordova's reputation as a marine

tourism destination and knew very little about the town's culture and history. Thus, reflecting the

need for Cordova to step it up when it comes to showcasing preserve, appreciate, memorialize

and showcase its culture(.) to non-Cordovanhons.

The evidence collected by the researchers

Cordova's unprecedented growth and ongoing development projects would convert the

sleepy town into a regional economic hub. The town’s forward looking and several reclamation

projects, unfortunately subdivided the municipality into the new town and the old town. As a

result, the old town that holds its history, culture, traditions, and heritage is slowly being

overlooked and forgotten.

 Figure 3.1. Cordova’s need for a heritage block

The Cordova Museum has stood on Cordova’s ground for 76 years and is officially

considered a heritage building. The building was originally the municipal hall of Cordova and

was converted to a museum. Sadly, the museum's reputation is no longer as outstanding as

before. The Cordova Museum's building condition and relevant reputation have been steadily

declining over the years, and it has also seen a steady decrease in interest from the number of

visitors.

Figure 3.2. The Cordova Heritage Museum before

 Figure 3.3. The Cordova Heritage Museum today

Cordova is literally a rapidly growing municipality with continuous land reclamation

projects and an increasing population. Thus, it is only common sense that a public library is

essential and should be present in the locality. A proposed heritage block with a public library

integrated into the area will better promote the dissemination and preservation of Cordova’s

heritage for generations to come. Furthermore, the public library will also be a great knowledge

resource for Cordovanhon local students and non-locals domestic and international researchers to

gather important historical and cultural information.

 The Municipality of Cordova is notable for its rapid economic growth in commercial,

residential, infrastructure redevelopment, and tourist attractions. However, due to the town's

limited land extents and with the ongoing projects of the municipal government, the existence of

the Freedom Plaza as one of Cordova's cultural legacies is deliberately neglected. Consequently,

an access road for Gaisano Grand Mall Cordova was built, cutting the rectangular shape of

Cordova Freedom Park in half. Plazas 1 and 2 were assigned as the consequence in that instance.

Plaza 1 is home to the Freedom Monument, which honors two Cordova heroes, Juan Nuez and

Pablo Biongcog, who died during the Japanese occupation. Meanwhile, Plaza 2 has a gazebo, a

fountain, a public seating area, and a few restrooms.

The present-day plazas have undergone significant modifications. Plaza 2 now houses the

Barangay Hall of Poblacion, Cordova, occupying a substantial amount of space. On the other

hand, a portion of the Plaza 1 was being utilized to cater the expansion of the adjacent police

station. Moreover, on the 20th day of July 2022, the monuments of Juan Nuez and Pablo

Biongcog standing on Plaza 1 were completely demolished, clearing the way for parking spaces.

Figure 3.4. Cordova Freedom Plaza Before

 Figure 3.5. Cordova Freedom Plaza Today

WHY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERIES?

The history and cultures that have influenced who we are now and where we live must be

preserved by our community. Museums and galleries provide insights and moving histories of

tragedy and triumph over hardship that, inspire people to exert influence locally or globally. The

author and philosopher, George Santanya once remarked, “Those who do not learn history are

doomed to repeat it.”

SUPPORT

The head of the engineering office, Engr. Singculan shared one of their plans with the

researchers, which is to construct a new government complex on a new site. After hearing about

the possible undertaking, the researchers inquired about the department's plans for the present

site, which, in theory, would be abandoned following the relocation of the municipal hall. Given
that the Cordova Museum is on the current site, as is the Biawan water tank, which has also

stood on Cordova's ground for 100 years, the researchers considered developing the present site

into a heritage block.

The concept was presented by the researchers to Engr. Singculan. He then agreed that it

would be an excellent option because the projected new City Hall would be relocated to Day-as,

Cordova after its completion. The Engineering and Land Use Planning Office has actively

assisted the researchers with their study, and promised to provide the necessary data to contribute

to the study. Mrs. Malou Inoc, a Cordova Public College professor and former director of

Culture and Heritage in Cordova, also expressed her unwavering support for this endeavor and

will provide the necessary data and documents the researchers will need for their study.

Furthermore, Dr. Romeo Macan, a dean at Cebu Normal University and an expert on Cordova’s

history, also voiced his enthusiasm and willingness to support the researchers' study.

In terms of references, the researchers secured an ample number of books, including the

History of Cordova by Atty. Adelino Sitoy, History of Cebu, 8 volumes of the History of the

Philippines, etc.

Nonetheless, the researchers are confident about this particular topic.