Archival assures vendors anew: No privatization in Carbon redevelopment

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has dismissed claims that the ongoing redevelopment of Carbon Market amounts to privatization, assuring vendors that all those affected by the modernization project will be accommodated.

His remarks came after some vendor groups alleged that the issue of privatization was being diverted into accusations of illegal collections inside the market. Archival reiterated that the city's policy has always been to protect vendors' livelihoods.

“Ako gud ng gisiguro nga ang tanan gyud nga vendors naay security of tenure. Meaning to say nga ang tanan gyud nga vendors nga naapektahan sa atong redevelopment, masud,” Archival said during a press conference on Monday.

He said that the redevelopment is not intended to exclude anyone but to regulate market operations so that legitimate vendors benefit from the project.

Carbon Market, Cebu City's largest public market, is undergoing an P8-billion modernization under a joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Cebu City Government and Megawide Construction Corporation.

The project, signed in 2020 and expanded in 2022, grants Megawide a 50-year concession to redevelop and manage the market.

While city officials maintain that the project will bring long-needed infrastructure upgrades, critics argue that privatization could erode the market's public character and burden small vendors with higher fees.

Archival, however, clarified that the market will remain under government control.

“Naa man tay oversight committee dinha. Nganong sila may mucontrol (Megawide/Cebu2World)? Now, kun naay provisions nga angay nato esturyahan with the developer, we can do that because we are the government,” he said.

Vendor groups, including the Cebu Coalition of United Vendors Association (CCUVA), one of the largest organizations in Carbon Market, continue to insist that privatization remains the central issue.

CCUVA president Maria Pino told the Cebu City Council last week that vendor associations are constitutionally recognized people's organizations authorized to collect dues, which are used for relief assistance, sanitation, and community support.

She also argued that claims of vendors paying P300 to P420 in daily collections were exaggerated because the figures combined government fees, association dues, and optional private service charges such as tent rentals and electricity connections. Some market operators, however, were found to have no business permits.

The controversy escalated after Archival alleged that private groups had been imposing unauthorized daily, weekly, and monthly fees on vendors.

Market Administrator Elcon Concha confirmed during a June 23 executive session of the City Council that collections are being made inside the market but clarified that only the City Legal Office has the authority to determine whether these are illegal.

Vendor leaders disputed the allegations, maintaining that the amounts cited by city officials misleadingly combined mandatory government payments with optional private services.

The dispute has highlighted the continuing divide between supporters of modernization and those who fear privatization. While the city government insists that all legitimate vendors will be accommodated, mistrust persists among groups wary of ceding greater control of the public market to a private partner.

Archival also noted that not all vendors oppose the redevelopment, saying some have personally expressed support for the project.

“Naay mga vendors nisud nako diri ingon sila nga Mayor, nay mga vendors nga sige kuno silag strike nga ipahunong ang Carbon redevelopment… Ingon sila, kun dili sila gusto mayor, gusto man mi. Kay dili biya na ang pagpaninda sa Carbon, exclusive… Kun dili sila ganahan, ganahan mi mayor,” he said.

The mayor added that there is no point in prolonging the dispute because he understands the vendors' need to earn a living.

“Dili na na nato awayon ang pagpaninda because we understand nga nanginabuhi na sila, and it is very clear to me and of course to the developer — silang tanan nga naapektuhan… dili ng mga tawo nga bisan kinsa lang musud sila diha,” he stressed.

Archival maintained that the modernization project will proceed, vendors will continue to have a place in the market, and the city government retains the authority to renegotiate provisions of the agreement with Megawide if necessary.

“As simple as that. Kamong tanan, masud mo,” the mayor said, while warning that those who exploit other vendors will no longer be allowed to continue doing so. — (FREEMAN)