Vendors blast proposed zoning ordinance: Council urged to defer vote

CEBU, Philippines — With a final vote looming, an association of Carbon Market vendors is standing firm in its opposition to the proposed Revised Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Cebu City for 2025, citing a rushed process and lack of meaningful public participation.

Just a day before the outgoing councilors are scheduled to decide the fate of the measure, the Carbon-hanong Alyansa Alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ogma sa mga Nanginabuhi (C.A.R.B.O.N.) reiterated its call to defer the ordinance.

In a statement released to reporters, the vendors—who also identified themselves as Cebu City residents— “respectfully petitioned” for the postponement of the ordinance’s approval.

According to them, the zoning measure could impact every district in the city. Despite this, they argued the process was “rushed,” citing “only one public hearing” and limited community consultation.

They also claimed the proposed ordinance lacks a “fully ratified” Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) as its legal foundation.

“Only Carbonhanon has raised the alarm, but what about other marginalized communities who haven’t been given the time to study or respond?” an excerpt from their statement reads.

“Their silence is not consent. It is a symptom of exclusion,” they added.

The group urged the city to "not sacrifice” due process and public participation just to meet a legislative

"deadline." It argued that rushed planning undermines long-term development.

In their statement, the group members also outlined key reasons for their opposition, particularly the reclassification of Carbon Public Market from institutional to commercial. They warned this would undermine its identity as a “heritage zone, a public service, and the poor man’s market.”

The proposed zoning ordinance aims to revise the existing 1996 ordinance—now nearly three decades old—and redefine land use classifications across the city.

Earlier, Architect Anne Marie Cuizon, assistant department head of the City Planning and Development Office, emphasized that updating the CLUP is critical. She said it provides the legal and developmental basis for the zoning ordinance and warned that, without it, the city could miss opportunities in investment, governance, and urban planning.

Despite this, Carbon vendors insisted the market is more than a physical space—it represents “culture and survival.”

“Turning it into a commercial zone paves the way for malls, hotels, and exclusive development, not for the poor, but for profit,” they said.

The vendors also responded to criticism that it was stalling the city’s progress.

“With deepest respect, we answer, you cannot build a better Cebu by demolishing its soul,” their statement read.

They added that a CLUP that ignores heritage, equity, and the needs of the poor is not progress but exclusion. For them, losing Carbon means losing their identity.

“This is not obstruction. This is our right to be heard,” they said.

CARBON called on the council to defer the ordinance’s final reading and maintain the institutional zoning of the Carbon Public Market.

The group also appealed to the incoming administration, armed with a fresh public mandate, to lead “true, inclusive consultations.”

The Cebu City Council, which had previously postponed the vote, is now pushing to finalize the ordinance. It has already approved the measure on second reading and is expected to deliberate it one last time during its final session on Wednesday.

Outgoing Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, majority floor leader and proponent of the ordinance, confirmed the body’s intent to move forward. She said she had initially called for its deferment during the public hearing, following multiple questions on the ordinance’s content.

Pesquera also clarified that even without the comprehensive revision, the land-use designation of the Carbon Market is already classified as commercial. Vendors, however, have been seeking to revert that classification to “institutional” to stop further development.

Despite these developments, Anna Marie Ariosa, head of CARBON, said they were caught off guard by the council’s decision to push through.

“Na surprise nalang mi nga nag second reading na diay pag June 18. Wala mi kahibaw gyud,” she said.

Pesquera previously told The Freeman that the council met with vendors prior to the second reading to discuss the issues. Ariosa confirmed the meeting but stressed that they did not change their stance.

More opposition surfaces

In a separate statement sent to media outlets, the Pagtambayayong Foundation—along with CARBON and other civil society organizations—also urged Mayor-elect Nestor Archival and the council to delay the approval of the CLUP and zoning ordinance “until proper consultations are held.”

“Such momentous documents should not be hurriedly passed,” they said.

They also pointed out that the documents failed to reflect social housing sites already mandated through an earlier ordinance.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) in the Visayas also voiced its opposition to the ordinance and expressed concern over the council’s intent to proceed with deliberations that may result in its approval.

The group cited both procedural and substantive flaws in the process. One major issue, they said, was the lack of proof that the four volumes of the new CLUP were officially deliberated and approved by the current council.

“Without transparent deliberation and public access to the new CLUP, it is impossible to verify that the proposed zoning ordinance aligns with an officially adopted plan,” they said.

PMCJ called for full due process and public participation and opposed the reclassification of the Carbon Market.

“Given the high poverty incidence in Cebu and the mounting pressures of multiple crises brought about by climate change, it is critical that marginalized communities continue to access affordable goods through Cebu’s largest public market,” the group said.

PMCJ Visayas is the regional arm of a national coalition composed of 150 networks, alliances, and grassroots organizations most affected by climate change. The statement was signed by Lito Vasquez, senior executive officer and Visayas policy advisor. — (FREEMAN)