Bacnotan showcases beehive-inspired, multi-functional modern public market
Arranged and zoned sections of the public market help shoppers and vendors alike.
Text and photos by Hanna C. Lacsamana
Ever seen a library, not one but two conference rooms, elevators, wheelchairs for shoppers with mobility concerns, and offices inside a public market?
Elevators and wheelchairs are for easy access for differently-abled persons.
These and other modern amenities can be found at Phase 3 of the modern public market of Bacnotan, La Union, which opened in March 2025 that has set an example of a more convenient, safe, accessible, and clean market place, made possible by the townspeople and officials’ commitment to progress.
The Bacnotan market is one of the places being showcased by the local government as part of its tourism promotion, taking pride of the structure that provides market goers a safe, clean, and attractive shopping building while allowing its local businesses to thrive.
Beehive shelves feature books available at the public library which is located at the public market.
During the Media Agkaysa Ronda covering the nine towns of La Union’s second district organized by the Provincial Government of La Union from February 19 to 20, 2026, members of the media were toured around the three-floor market which featured a honey beehive design and modern facilities like stainless steel display stalls for wet goods, freezers, elevators on both wings, TV monitors for price bulletins and announcements, standby wheel chairs for persons with disability, among others.
It has large bookshelves, also designed after a beehive, containing an array of books; spacious shopping areas; proper zoning arrangement for goods in each floor; and two conference rooms rented out for meetings, events, and gatherings.
The Municipal Public Attorney’s Office is also located at the third floor of the market.
Large bulletin boards show current prices of goods sold.
The market is also well-lit and has a CCTV surveillance system, ensuring enjoyable shopping experience, safety, and security throughout the facility.
Bacnotan Mayor Divine Fontanilla said the modernized market, along with other development projects in the La Union town, is born out of their aim to provide vendors a nice and dignified place to do business, consideration of shoppers with mobility concerns with the inclusion of elevators and wheel chairs, provision of affordable function halls for rent, and a more convenient market as a whole with various amenities.
Wet market has freezers for the convenience of business operators and sanitation.
“We took out a loan for this development, and with the history of the market in its phases 1 and 2 constructions which the LGU promptly paid, we are confident the market is paying for itself, because it is income-generating from the rentals and all that, in addition to the assistance from LGU. This is part of our commitment to progress and inclusivity,” Fontanilla said.
