Cebu Mayor Takes Firm Stand Against Megawide's Fee Collection Plans at Carbon Market
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has made a definitive declaration opposing the proposed transfer of market fee collection responsibilities to private developer Megawide Construction Corporation at the Carbon Public Market. This announcement came during a crucial meeting with various vendors' groups at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Vendor Concerns Spark Mayor's Intervention
The dialogue was attended by members of the Carbonhanong Alliance and other vendor organizations who have expressed significant concerns about the 2021 joint venture agreement between the City Government and Megawide. Maria Pino, president of the Cebu Coalition of United Vendors Association, directly questioned Mayor Archival about his position regarding Cebu2World Development Inc.'s plan to begin collecting market fees by February 15 or March 1.
"I'm telling you now that I won't agree for them to collect, but we'll still collect, okay?" Archival stated emphatically during the meeting. He has instructed the City Legal Office to review specific provisions of the joint venture agreement that govern C2W's collection duties and rights.
Procedural Requirements and Current Collection Systems
Archival explained that under the joint venture agreement, an oversight committee composed of representatives from both the City Government and Megawide must first be established before any collection rights can be transferred. This committee has yet to be formed, creating a procedural barrier to the proposed transition.
Eliconjim "Elcon" Concha from the Office of the City Market detailed the current collection system, where the City Treasurer's Office handles daily "arkabala" tickets from ambulant vendors and rental fees from regular stallholders. Ambulant vendors currently pay 20 pesos per day, while stallholders are charged per square meter based on classification.
"For the street vendors, since they are the most numerous there... they have a daily fee. If you sell that day, you'll have to pay the fee; if not, then no fee," Concha explained. More than 4,000 ambulant vendors and stallholders currently operate within Carbon Market.
Historical Context and Ongoing Legal Challenges
Mayor Archival dismissed social media claims that he had abandoned the vendors, recalling his own experience working as a vendor in Carbon during his youth. He reiterated that as a city councilor in 2021, he opposed the signing of the joint venture agreement, believing its full implementation could lead to higher commodity prices and additional financial burdens for vendors beyond rental fees.
The mayor's statements follow a silent protest staged by the Carbonhanong Alliance along MC. Briones Street Extension in Plaridel on February 5, 2026, where vendors called for Megawide's removal from Carbon Market amid concerns about potential rent increases.
Archival expressed support for the petition filed before the Supreme Court questioning the validity of the joint venture agreement. This petition, initiated by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, seeks judicial review of the entire Carbon redevelopment deal.
Developer Response and Alternative Proposals
C2W, through Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Jynx Chanjueco, clarified on February 11 that the company would not proceed with any transition without a directive from the City Government and proper coordination with the Office of the City Markets and other agencies. The company has committed to completing the new main public market building by December 2026.
Despite these assurances, vendor groups continue to seek clarity on rental rates, collection systems, and long-term security of tenure. Erwin Goc-ong, president of the Cebu Market Vendors Multi-purpose Cooperative, welcomed the mayor's stance and urged the City Council to revoke the joint venture agreement entirely.
Goc-ong proposed what he described as a "win-win" solution: allowing the private partner to finish construction, after which the City Government would pay for the completed work and assume full management and operation of the new Carbon Market building.
Looking Forward: March Review and Vendor Unity
Mayor Archival urged vendor leaders to present their concerns during the City Council's executive session on March 17, when the joint venture agreement is scheduled for review. He also encouraged vendors to remain united and refine their list of qualified beneficiaries to prevent possible displacement should the Supreme Court or City Council uphold the agreement.
The mayor further assured residents of Sitio Bato in Barangay Ermita that their status as beneficiaries of socialized housing will remain intact, adding that families affected by the modernization project will receive proper relocation.
The 8-billion peso Carbon Public Market redevelopment remains one of the most debated public-private partnership projects in Cebu City, with stakeholders continuing to navigate complex questions about development, affordability, and vendor welfare.
