Cebu Vendors Stage Silent Protest Against Carbon Market Privatization Plans
In a significant display of dissent, vendors from the Carbon Public Market in Cebu organized a silent protest on February 5, 2026. This action was aimed at demanding the removal of Megawide from the market's operations, driven by deep-seated concerns over potential rent increases and the creeping privatization of the public facility.
Vendors Reject C2W's Modernization Claims
The Carbonhanong Alliance, a coalition of market vendors, has firmly rejected assertions from Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W) that misunderstandings are at the heart of the conflict. According to the vendors, their fears are not based on mere speculation but are grounded in concrete data and specific provisions outlined in the 2021 Joint Venture Agreement (JVA). This document, they argue, lays the foundation for the privatization they oppose.
Leadership Voices Concerns Over Private Control
Erwin Goc-ong, president of the Cebu Market Vendors Multi-purpose Cooperative (Cemvedco), articulated these worries in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Monday, February 9, 2026. He emphasized that while the City Hall retains nominal ownership of the Carbon Market, the reality feels increasingly privatized. Private companies are now responsible for fee collection, security management, and rule-making within the market, effectively shifting control away from public hands.
C2W Defends Its Role and Fee Structures
In response to the protest, Manuel Louie Ferrer, president and chief executive officer of C2W, provided clarifications on February 6. He stated that the current rental prices and other fees to be collected until 2028 are based on the 2017 City Market Code, not the amended 2023 version. Ferrer further asserted that, as the private partner under the 2021 JVA, C2W holds the authority to collect these payments. He reassured that ownership of the Carbon Market remains with the Cebu City Government, aiming to alleviate fears of complete privatization.
Background on the Carbon Market Redevelopment
The redevelopment of the Carbon Public Market is being spearheaded by C2W, a subsidiary of Megawide Construction Corp., through the 2021 JVA. This initiative has sparked ongoing debates about:
- The balance between modernization and affordability for vendors.
- The implications of private sector involvement in public markets.
- The long-term impact on local livelihoods and community access.
The protest highlights a growing tension between development goals and the welfare of small-scale entrepreneurs, setting the stage for further discussions on urban planning and economic equity in Cebu.
