Baguio: The city government will accelerate the PHP27 million rehabilitation of the Maharlika Livelihood Center’s fire-damaged basement to help 92 displaced stallholders resume business quickly, officials said Wednesday. “The task force is looking into possible ways to immediately implement the rehabilitation to shorten the six-month period so that affected stallholders can go back to their operations,” said Leticia Clemente, chairperson of the Maharlika Transition Committee.

According to Philippines News Agency, the basement was gutted by a 10-hour electrical fire on Sept. 7, just months after the facility was turned over to city control in May. While the City Buildings and Architecture Office estimates four months for physical rehabilitation, the bidding process adds two months. The project covers the overhaul of electrical systems and other safety improvements.

For complete facility rehabilitation, the city seeks PHP350 million in national government assistance to support more than 600 micro, small, and medium enterprises operating in the complex.