ILOILO City – SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and the Iloilo City Government reassure vendors at the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market that the redevelopment of the city’s two biggest public markets won’t result to any of them being displaced.
“I assure the market vendors, lessees and transient vendors. None will be displaced,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
SM SuperMalls president Steven Tan echoed the same assurance to the vendors.
“We will make sure that the vendors will be accommodated. We have actually allotted extra units to make sure that everyone is accommodated the best way we can,” said Tan.
On Aug. 2, SM Prime Holdings formally received the lease agreement for the redevelopment of the Central and Terminal markets awarded by the Iloilo City Government. Tan was joined by SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim.
The ceremony was held at Park Inn Hotel in Mandurriao district. Several vendors from the Central and Terminal markets witnessed the awarding.
“We really want a world-class public market for the people of Iloilo City, something that Ilonggos will be very proud of,” said Tan.
The modern markets will have retail spaces and ample parking, which will bring more convenience to customers and tourists, and generate additional customer traffic.
“In totality, the income of the whole city will also grow because the more tourists you attract, the better. We feel that the central market could be a tourist attraction,” said Tan.
“The vendors would definitely be selling more because the traffic will improve and hopefully businesses will flourish. Everyone would be happy,” Tan added.
Mayor Treñas clarified that the management of the markets will remain with the city government through the Local Economic Enterprise Office.
“The city government will operate the markets. It will continue to deal with the vendors. They having nothing to worry about,” he said.
Treñas further told the vendors that their observations and suggestions during the consultations held would be considered.
“You are the reason why the city government is doing this. We want you to have a better space to do business. Hopefully, you will be earning more,” he said.
For SM Prime Holdings’s part, Tan said, “We will be doing a lot of consultations. We know that the mayor, the vice mayor, the Office of the Mayor are very hands-on. We will make sure this will be beneficial not only to the vendors but also to the people of Iloilo.”
While the markets are being redeveloped, a temporary market will be set up./PN
