Carbon vendors’ take on redevelopment plan: Yes to modernization,no to privatization

CEBU, Philippines — While several vendor groups and barangay officials yesterday clarified that they are not against modernizing the Carbon Public Market, they, nonetheless, declared being opposed to its privatization.

The Cebu City government signed last Jan. 11 a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Megawide Construction Corp. for the redevelopment of the city’s largest wet market.

Yesterday, the Cebu City United Vendors Association (CCUVA), Cebu Market Vendors Multi-purpose Cooperative (CEMVEDCO), and Ermita barangay officials aired their sentiments on some of the JVA’s provisions.

One of the contested provisions, they said, pertains to the entitlement of Megawide to collect and receive all the revenues, including fees and charges, from the redeveloped market.

To them, this means that while the city will continue to operate the market, it is Megawide that will collect market fees and other charges which, according to them, is tantamount to privatization.

“Lahi na og dagway sa usa ka pampublikong merkado kon ang mokolekta mao ang pribadong kompaniya. Kon ang Siyudad sa Sugbo ang mokolekta, ang kita sa Carbon  market padulong sa panudlanan sa siyudad ug magamit kini sa pagpalambo sa mga lumulupyo niini, pero og ang mokolekta ang pribadong kompanya, ang kita adto sa ilang kompanya ug hatagan lang og bahin ang Syudad sa Sugbo,” read the collective statement of the vendors and officials.

Erwin Gok-ong, CEMVEDCO chairman, said this is why they are proposing to amend the JVA.

“Kay even if under sa City Hall, klaro ug tataw sa kontrata nga si Megawide gyud ang part sa operation and management,” said Gok-ong.

Citing Cebu City’s Market Code of 2017, Gok-ong said “operation and management” involves all aspects in the operation and management of a public market. He said that under the code, a public market is “for the public and is owned and operated by the city.”

Thus, Gok-ong said it should be clarified whether Carbon will still remain a “public market” within the ambit of the law.

Gok-ong also raised their request for an amendatory agreement to include in the contract that the Freedom Park and Warwick Barracks remain as public market during JVA’s effectivity, which is 50 to 75 years. Carbon Public Market is composed of Freedom Park, Warwick Barracks, as well as Units 1, 2, and 3.

“Ang Unit 1,2,3 ang pinakadako pero sa bag-ong setup, ang merkado duha nalang—Freedom Park ug Warwick Barracks. Ang 1,600 stallholders nga gikan sa lima ka building, ibutang nalang sa duha,” said Gok-ong.

“Si Sir Louie (Ferrer of Megawide) ingon siya nga uyon siya nga public market gihapon. Then let us put it in the contract, true to the sense, true to the definition of what is a public market, nga magpabiling public market ang Freedom ug Barracks,” he added.

Likewise, the vendors are pushing for the Market Code being the governing legislation and under the implementation of the City Market Authority.

Barangay’s concerns

Ermita barangay captain Mark Miral, for his part, said that while the redevelopment is welcome, his main concern is the welfare of those who depend on the market for their living.

“Of course ang maong proyekto, dako kaayo nang kausaban ilabi na sa turismo, trabaho, ug ekonomiya. Apan, buot lang namo ipaabot sa tanan nga unta ang pagpalambo wala’y maapektuhan nga mga tawo ilabi na sa gagmay’ng vendors ug sa gatusan ka pamilya. Mao gyud na’y among tinguha diri,” said Miral.

Miral said they are requesting the authorities to ensure that residents of Sitio Bato, which stand to be affected by the project, will not lose their livelihood.

He added they are open to any alternatives the city and Megawide will offer to affected residents, including possible relocation. — JMD (FREEMAN)