Vendors urge city government to junk JVA

CEBU, Philippines — Four Carbon market organizations held a press conference at Freedom Park yesterday, February 18, publicly sharing their calls on the Cebu City Government to review and ultimately junk its joint venture agreement (JVA) with Cebu2World Development, Inc. (C2W) and its parent firm Megawide Construction Corporation.

These organizations are the Carbonhanong Alyansa, the Cebu Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Cemvedco), the Ambulant Vendors Association, and the Cebu City United Vendors Association (CCUVA).

Erwin Gok-Ong, chairman of Cemvedco, cited several provisions in the contract that he said could negatively affect the vendors, the public, and the city.

He highlighted Section 7.1 regarding the operation and management of the Carbon Market, which allows C2W to collect fees and nominate leases—powers he describes as essential to privatization.

Gok-Ong expressed concerns regarding Section 8.2, which specifies that from the time the project site is handed over to Megawide until the completion of the 50-year Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) or its earlier termination, the city is required to defend, preserve, protect, and restore the company’s rights. This includes the authority to exercise expropriation powers.

He further cited Section 12.3, which provides that the city government will compensate C2W if it fails to increase rental rates in the Carbon market.

According to Gok-Ong, these provisions grant C2W extensive authority over what should remain within the jurisdiction of the city government.

“Inig mandar ni Megawide na pasakahi and abangan, pasakahi ang entrance fee, dili gani magpasaka ang konseho, silotan ang dakbayan sa Sugbo, pabayron og kwarta or ang bahin niya nga annual dili na kumpletuhon or kaha i-extend ang kontrata as penalty … Daghan kay’g probiso dinhi nga kung lapason sa dakbayan sa Sugbo, piti gyud siya,” he said.

During the press conference, vendors also shared their experiences and fears concerning the proposed partnership. Marcelina Pautan, a longtime vendor at Carbon, appealed to city officials for support.

“Among hangyo ni Mayor Archival, Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña, og sa tanang konsehales tabangi mi ninyo kay di lalim among kinabuhi diri sa Carbon … Dili kay i-review ang JVA kundi ibasura,” she said.

The vendors who spoke at the press-con clarified that they are not against modernization but rather privatization. “Dapat atong gobyerno ang magpanindot sa Carbon, dili ang Megawide,” Pautan added.

Jovelyn “Che-Che” Gomez, chairperson of the Carbonhanong Alyansa, emphasized that the JVA’s provisions on obligations, compensation, and termination make it difficult for the city to withdraw from the agreement. She also expressed concern that the agreement could limit Cebuanos’ access to affordable goods in a public market while threatening the long-standing livelihoods of vendors.

“Ingon sila dili daw sila maka-buot, tinuod na, pero sila mao’y magtakda. Kami tanang mga vendors dinhi usa ra gyud among panawagan, ibasura ang kontrata,” Gomez said.

During the press conference with Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier, he firmly expressed his support for the vendors and the retention of Carbon as a public establishment. The vendors have been in discussions with Osmeña since, but there has been no action from the city government regarding the issue yet.

The vendors said yesterday's press conference served as a platform for them to share their experiences and concerns. — Elizabeth Salarde, UP Intern /RAE (FREEMAN)