Zoning reclassification: Concrete plan for carbon vendors - archival

CEBU, Philippines — After failing to restore Carbon Market’s land use classification to institutional, Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr. wants a concrete plan for the affected vendors and the development plan for the area.

In an interview with The Freeman, Archival reflected on the discussion when the council approved the zoning reclassification of Carbon Market from institutional to commercial.

Archival said he was under the impression that all processes related to the zoning reclassification have been complied with, thus the approval by the City Council. However, he learned from the vendors during an executive session that there was no public hearing before the reclassification was pushed by Councilor Jerry Guardo and eventually approved by the council.

According to Archival, what transpired during the executive session did not align with Guardo's narrative when he pushed for the zoning reclassification of Carbon Market.

“Because klaro man kaayo nga wala sila (vendors) gi-kunsulta, nya klaro sad kaayo nga wala sila kahibaw unsay ibutang gyud dira sulod sa Carbon kay wa man gyud development nga gihatag, drawing-drawing raman,” said Archival.

He emphasized that the vendors only want security of their livelihoods, which will be left hanging in balance once the development begins. Following the reclassification of Carbon Market to commercial, Cebu2World Development Inc. is now permitted to proceed with the construction of Cebu Market Development Phase 1B at the Barracks area.

“Perti gyud nilang guola kay pagkakita nila sa kanang plano which is wala nila makita before, nakita nila nga tangtangon gyud sila kay maghimo og building,” said Archival.

“Now, ang prerequisite sa paghimo sa building, kanang naa sa building permit, iklaro na sa zoning nga kanang area nga ilang gihimo, commercial ba na siya,” he added.

Archival explained that the plan indicated that Units 3 and 4 were labeled as a “Parking Building,” which leaves a blank space as to where the current vendors will be relocated.

Furthermore, Archival said it is still unclear what the course of action will be for the developer moving forward. He is considering filing a resolution to ask for a plan for the vendors to ensure their security.

“Unsa may mahitabo nila sa pagkakaron? So security sa pagkakaron, security og unsa ilang buhaton, asa sila punta, ug security in the future inig kahuman nila sa development,” said Archival.

When Archival pushed to restore the zoning classification of Carbon Market to institutional during their regular session on December 11, 2024, a heated discussion erupted, leading them to divide the house. With the majority voting for disapproval, the motion was killed.

Archival, on the other hand, said that although he respects the decision of the legislators, he expressed that most of them may not have fully understood his point.

On the same day of the session, various vendors' associations submitted their position papers, in which they expressed their opposition to the council’s decision.

At the same time, other members gathered at the Plaza Sugbo grounds, holding placards to express their opposition to the reclassification, despite it already being approved by the Cebu City Council.

Archival said that based on the terms of reference, there is supposed to be an “Independent Consultant” whose task is to strike a negotiation between the city government and the developer. The consultant has yet to be identified until now.

On December 13, 2024, more groups of Carbon Market vendors expressed “frustration and disappointment” over the council’s decision to deny their request to revert the public market's land-use status to institutional.

This was conveyed in a joint statement from Carbon Market vendors, including members from the Cebu City United Vendors’ Association (CCUVA), Carbon Market Vendors Development Cooperative (CEMVEDCO), Carbonhanon Alyansa, and the Unit 3 Stallowners Association.

Councilor Joel Garganera previously explained that the proper course of action for the vendors would be to file a motion for reconsideration before both the zoning board and the council.

Councilor Philip Zafra also previously said that although they acknowledge the vendors’ concerns, the technicalities of the institutional land use of the area are intended for Freedom Park, not just for the vendors.

He added that the reclassification to commercial was meant to "correct" the designation so that it fits the current use of the area, which is now being utilized as a market.

Zafra, however, said that it is their responsibility as local legislators to ensure that the vendors are protected and will not face a surge in their rental fees. — (FREEMAN)