CCUVA denies over-collection from Carbon market vendors

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Coalition of United Vendors Association (CCUVA) has disputed allegations that market associations are collecting excessive daily fees from vendors, insisting that the real issue confronting Carbon Public Market is the privatization of the city's oldest public market.

Speaking during the Cebu City Council's executive session, CCUVA chairperson Maria Pino challenged councilors to conduct lifestyle checks on market leaders to disprove allegations that association officials are enriching themselves through collections.

Pino, who represents nearly 40 vendor groups under the CCUVA umbrella, reminded the council that associations are recognized under Article 13 of the Constitution as people's organizations authorized to collect membership dues approved by their respective general assemblies.

“Kun imong tan-awn ang association, we are covered by our Constitution. Ang people’s organization makakolekta og dues, basta adunay guidelines ug klaro ang paggasto niini,” she said during the council’s executive session.

She explained that membership dues finance association activities, provide relief assistance during emergencies, and even pay street sweepers who supplement the city's limited sanitation workforce.

“Those dues mao nay gigasto sa sweldo sa mga kaminero nga naglimpyo sa Carbon. Ang association nitabang sa pagpanglimpyo, naghatag bugas sa panahon sa kalisod, ug motabang sa mga biktima sa linog ug bagyo,” she added.

Responding to allegations that vendors are paying between P300 and P420 daily, Pino clarified that the amount represents a combination of government fees, association dues and payments for private services, making the total appear larger than what associations actually collect.

“Dili tanang bayran toa sa association. Lain-lain nga bayranan giusa para modako. Sa among grupo, naa’y P10, naa’y P20 depende sa nasabutan sa ilang asosasyon,” she said.

She stressed that charges for services such as tent rentals, lantay, and electricity connections are optional.

“Ang kaning mga private service payments, wala na gipugos nga mokuha sa mga services. Modepende ra na kung unsa ang ilang kuhaon,” she added.

Rejecting accusations that market associations operate like a "mafia," Pino urged the council to investigate the matter thoroughly by consulting vendors themselves and examining the finances of association leaders.

“Try to check me, because I have been a leader for 40 years. Unsa nako ka dato ani? Try to check the leaders. File a case against them. Hopefully, kaning tanan walay laing makatubag ani kung dili ang mga vendors mismo,” she declared.

Pino maintained that the controversy over alleged unauthorized collections has diverted attention from what vendors consider the more pressing issue—the privatization of Carbon Market under the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Cebu City and Megawide Construction Corp.

“Para namo ba, ayaw itu-is ang issue, because the issue in Carbon Market is the privatization issue. Sakit sa among kasingkasing kaming mga kabus nga ang gipadako nuon mao ang pangwartas sa Carbon kaysa sa issue sa JVA,” she said.

The JVA, initially valued at P5.5 billion when it was signed in 2020 and later increased to P8 billion in 2022, grants Megawide a 50-year concession to redevelop and modernize Carbon Market. In return, Cebu City is guaranteed an annual payment of P50 million.

The agreement has drawn opposition from vendors and civic groups, who argue that it could displace small traders, increase operating costs and reduce the city's flexibility in managing the public market. Petitions questioning the agreement remain pending before the Supreme Court.

The executive session was convened after Mayor Nestor Archival raised concerns over allegedly unauthorized collections by market associations, saying organizations with thousands of members could be generating millions of pesos in monthly collections.

Pino expressed disappointment that the alleged collections had overshadowed the debate on the JVA.

“Ang among nakahibugngan, ngano man ni? Ngano man nga ang gipadako nuon, gikan pa gyud sa atong pinalangga nga mayor, nga mas grabe pa ang issue nga giingon pangwartas Carbon kaysa sa issue sa JVA.Sakit sa among kasingkasing kaming mga kabugos,” she said.

During the same hearing, Market Administrator Elcon Concha said 52 associations operate in Carbon Market, most of them not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also acknowledged that individuals rent out weighing scales, stalls and tents without regulation under the city's Market Code.

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. sought clarification on which collections are legal and which are unauthorized, but Concha said only the City Legal Office could provide a definitive interpretation.

Councilor Joel Garganera, meanwhile, presented photos and videos showing rat-infested stalls built over drainage canals, raising concerns over sanitation and public health.

Other councilors also questioned the presence of permanent structures on sidewalks and pointed to discrepancies in vendor records, noting that the number of names submitted by associations did not match the actual number of active vendors.- Preciosa Bacalso/FPL (CEBU NEWS)