ILOILO City – The transformation of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal (Super) Market into modern infrastructures – with 700 parking slots for both – is expected to draw in more customers.
Noting that the lack of parking spaces has been contributing to traffic congestion in the area, the city government and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. are planning to significantly increase the parking spaces located within each market site to help facilitate greater accessibility and smoother mobility.
SM Prime further explained that having well-designed parking spaces can boost foot traffic and potentially increase profitability for the micro-, small-, medium-scale entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the markets.
“We understand how important integrating the parking spaces into the design of any development is,” said Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls senior vice president for Mall Operations. “Parking equates to customer convenience and that will have a huge impact on the overall experience of the redeveloped markets.”
According to the local government, the planned 700 parking slots for both markets would help ensure that the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market will continue to be the center of employment and livelihood of local vendors and entrepreneurs.
“We want these markets to continue to be the center of activity in the city. Increasing the number of parking slots means more space for customers and tourists, but also better parking spaces for delivery and pick-up of goods for small businesses and vendors housed in the markets,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The redevelopment of the two markets is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project of the city government with SM Prime. The improvements in the market include enhanced internal facilities, more efficient ingress and egress points for delivery of goods, better comfort rooms, and sustainable features such as solid waste management and wastewater treatment systems – features found in SM malls nationwide.
“With a goal to provide safer, cleaner, more convenient, and tourist-friendly public markets with heritage features and modern facilities, the city government of Iloilo hopes to build and redevelop the Iloilo Terminal Market and Iloilo Central Market into a place Ilonggos could show off and be proud of. Most importantly, it is for the people and the communities of Iloilo City because at the end of the day, there’s no better investment than a progressive city,” added Mayor Treñas.
The local government of Iloilo City recently awarded a 25-year lease agreement to SM Prime Holdings for the development of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market. Under the agreement, the two markets will be developed at no cost to the city government and will be retained as public markets and managed by the City Hall through the Local Economic Enterprise Office.
For more information, visit www.iloilocity.gov.ph and follow @iloilocitygov on Facebook./PN
