The new P78-million public market in Loon was formally opened on Sunday after months of construction.

The inauguration of the facility dubbed Mercado de Loon was led by Loon Mayor Elvi Peter Relampagos and Gov. Edgar Chatto.

Funds for the project was sourced from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the Bohol Earthquake Assistance (BEA) fund which was allocated during the Aquino administration.

The amount for the public market was funneled from Bohol’s P2.3-billion BEA fund which was earmarked for the repair and establishment of replacement government facilities such as municipal and barangay halls and water systems in the quake-hit province.

In his speech, Chatto commended Loon officials and residents for their swift implementation of projects under the BEA.

Loon was among the most damaged towns in Bohol due to the 7.2-magnitude quake that hit the province on October 13, 2013.

The municipality also had several fatalities due to the tremor while the Nuestra Senora de la Luz Parish (Church of Our Lady of Light) which was built in 1853 was completely destroyed. (RT)