ILOILO City – Business groups welcome the impending redevelopment of the two biggest public markets in this southern city through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
For the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), the rehabilitation of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market, popularly known as “Tienda Mayor” and “Super”, respectively, is long overdue.
According to IBC executive director Atty. Eunice Guadalope, transforming the two public markets into sustainable multi-use market complexes with modern, clean and convenient facilities for vendors and market goers will be a game-changer not only for the city but for the province.
It will lead to an increase in the markets’ customer base and will further augment the income of market vendors and ultimately, the city government, said Guadalope.
“With its modern, clean and convenient look in its prime locations, the Central and Super public markets will revitalize the economic activity in the heart of Iloilo City, and pave the way for more business opportunities and investments in the area, thereby generating more livelihood and jobs for the Ilonggos,” Guadalope stressed.
The city government has already started the pre-negotiation with SM Prime Holdings for the Project Terms of Reference for the PPP plan in developing the two biggest markets both located in the City Proper.
Comfort rooms, parking facilities and effective drainage system are being included in the development plans.
According to IBC, there were previous plans to rehabilitate the two markets but nothing came out of them. It is hopeful that this time the plan will push through.
“These two markets are important centers of livelihood and employment. We have long-time stall holders and market vendors whose daily trade have been a part of the Ilonggo way of life,” Guadalope noted.
IBC also welcomed the assurance of Mayor Jerry Treñas that these vendors will not be displaced in the rehabilitated public markets.
Meanwhile, with the upgrading of the public plazas underway, the opening of new flyovers and roads leading to the city, among other major developments, the IBC opined that the rehabilitation of the public markets is a sign that Iloilo City is starting to bounce back from the economic downturn brought by the COVID1-19 pandemic and is really opening up for more business and economic activities.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILEDF) believes that the unsolicited proposal to develop the two biggest markets is a testament that major developers see Iloilo City as a major investment destination in the country.
“The series of upgrade and improvement has cemented the city to rise at par with highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region. We want to modernize and give a clean place for our residents. We are in the big league as we embark on our levelling up and our goal to be the innovation hub by 2030,” said ILEDF chairman Terence Uygongco.
Uygongco added that the biggest benefactor of the market redevelopment are the customers as they will have access to clean and modern markets where everything can be master-planned.
“We also hope that the multi-purpose use of the real estate be realized,” he added.
The ILED also lauded the city government for also developing other district public markets in the city such as the La Paz, Arevalo and Jaro markets.
“These three public markets will also be upgraded and benefit market goers in these three districts,” said Uygongco. /PN
