Cebu City Mayor Assures Carbon Market Vendors Amid Fee Collection Dispute
In a significant development for Cebu City's public market vendors, Mayor Nestor Archival has publicly declared his opposition to a controversial proposal that would transfer fee collection duties to private developer Megawide Construction Corp. The announcement came during a crucial meeting with concerned vendor groups on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero.
Silent Protest Precedes Mayor's Assurance
The mayor's statement followed a silent protest staged by the Carbonhanong Alliance along MC. Briones Street Extension in Plaridel on February 5, 2026. This vendor coalition, composed primarily of carbon merchants, expressed strong opposition to Megawide's involvement in the Carbon Market redevelopment project, specifically citing fears that stall rents would become prohibitively expensive under private management.
During the meeting, which was attended by members of Carbonhanong Alyansa and other vendor organizations, Archival emphasized that he does not support the immediate transfer of market fee collection to Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), a Megawide subsidiary. The private company had proposed beginning fee collection by March 1, 2026, as part of the ongoing Carbon redevelopment initiative.
Vendor Concerns Over Joint Venture Agreement
Vendor groups have raised persistent concerns about the 2021 joint venture agreement between Cebu City and Megawide, particularly regarding:
- The proposed transition of collection duties from public to private hands
- Potential rental increases that could threaten vendor livelihoods
- Long-term security of tenure within the redeveloped market
Archival reassured vendors that any changes in collection procedures must undergo proper review and consultation, firmly stating that the City Government retains ultimate authority over market policies and rate structures. This position directly addresses vendor anxieties about being subjected to unaffordable rent hikes under private management.
Developer Clarification and Ongoing Tensions
C2W has previously clarified that it would not proceed with any collection transition without explicit direction from the City Government and coordination with the Office of the City Markets. Despite these assurances, vendor groups continue to seek greater clarity on how the massive P8-billion redevelopment project will ultimately affect their operations.
The Carbon Public Market redevelopment represents one of Cebu City's most debated public-private partnership initiatives. As tensions persist between vendor interests and development plans, Mayor Archival's intervention has temporarily alleviated concerns while highlighting the complex balance between urban development and protecting established market communities.
Vendor representatives have indicated they will continue monitoring the situation closely, particularly regarding collection systems and rental rate determinations as the redevelopment progresses. The outcome of this dispute may set important precedents for similar market redevelopment projects throughout the Philippines.
