Cebu Councilor Demands Review of Carbon Market Redevelopment Deal Amid Vendor Concerns
Cebu City Councilor Sisinio "Bebs" Andales is calling for a comprehensive review of the Carbon Public Market redevelopment joint venture agreement (JVA) following growing concerns from vendors about their livelihoods. The push for reassessment comes in response to a recent silent protest by market vendors and a legal challenge initiated by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Executive Session Scheduled for March 17
In a speech delivered on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Councilor Andales urged the City Council to revisit the 2021 JVA, citing unresolved questions regarding the project's financial aspects and its impact on local vendors. To address these issues, an executive session has been scheduled for March 17, 2026.
The meeting will include representatives from key stakeholders:
- Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), a subsidiary of Megawide Corp.
- The City Legal Office
- The Commission on Audit
- Vendor associations
- Various civil society groups
To ensure order during the proceedings, attendance will be restricted to presidents and officers of the vendor associations only.
Vendor Protests and Transparency Concerns
The call for review follows a silent protest organized by vendors on February 5, 2026. Many vendors expressed fears about rumors suggesting that rental fees could increase by as much as 300 percent, potentially threatening their businesses.
Councilor Andales described the situation as "symbiotic symptoms of a crisis of transparency, accountability and consensus." He emphasized that the City has a "sovereign duty" to listen to the concerns of its citizens, stating that this is not merely a procedural objection but a "clarion call" highlighting potential weaknesses in a contract that governs the future of Cebu's oldest and most iconic public market.
Historical Background and Legal Challenges
The history of the Carbon Public Market redevelopment deal dates back to January 11, 2021, when the late Mayor Edgardo Labella signed the original agreement. Subsequently, Mayor Michael Rama signed a supplemental agreement on July 31, 2022, which increased the total project investment from P5.5 billion to P8 billion.
In a significant legal move, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to review the JVA, arguing that the deal is "grossly disadvantageous" to the city. Due to this ongoing legal battle, Councilor Mikel Rama has proposed that the upcoming executive session avoid discussing points currently under judicial review.
The situation continues to develop as stakeholders prepare for the March meeting, with vendors anxiously awaiting clarity on their future in the historic market.
