What was meant to upgrade vendor stalls at Dagupan City's Malimgas Public Market has turned into a familiar fiasco, after a contractor allegedly abandoned a city project.

Some stalls at the Malimgas Public Market in Dagupan City were already fitted with galvanized steel sheets (GSS), but many remain uncovered after the contractor reportedly abandoned the project.

According to the city government, the contractor stopped the work after declaring bankruptcy.

As a result, some vendor stalls were left incomplete, and parts of the installed GSS have drawn safety concerns.

“Ayusin talaga ‘yung pagkagawa para hindi unsafe para sa mga tao at saka pati ‘yung mga nagtitinda,” Eduardo Cervantes, president of the Malimgas Public Market Vendors Association, said.

At some stalls, vendors have had to find their own solutions. Ginalyn Tadeo, a meat vendor, uses plastic matting to protect her goods.

“Ito, hindi mangangalawang. Basta everyday, huhugasan, lilinisan po itong puwesto,” she said.

Aside from the unfinished GSS installation, the same contractor reportedly left the market's drainage project at the front of the building incomplete.

Both projects were being made at the same time.

City officials plan to summon the contractor to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to explain the situation.

Meanwhile, Mayor Belen Fernandez assured the public that the local government will step in and fund the necessary repairs.

“’Pag sinabi ng COA, kung ano ang desisyon ng COA — bayaran ba nila ‘yun? Tapusin nila? And then we will start to fix everything,” the mayor said.

The contractor is yet to release a statement.