Capitol eyes mall-based food terminal in Oton

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Government is studying the possible establishment of a food terminal and farmers’ market inside a commercial complex in Oton as part of efforts to provide new trading spaces for local producers and ambulant vendors, locally known as bolanteros.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. met with officials of Vista Land Commercial Assets (VCA) on Wednesday to discuss the proposed facility at Vista Mall Oton, Iloilo.

The proposal is being positioned as a long-term mechanism to provide an organized space where farmers and bolanteros from across Iloilo can directly sell agricultural produce to consumers, improving market access and streamlining distribution.

Defensor said the proposal could also help stimulate economic activity in the area by attracting higher foot traffic, with potential add-on developments such as a transport hub for agricultural goods coming from northern, central, and southern Iloilo.

He also raised the possibility of piloting a weekend flea market within the site, stressing that any future development must be orderly, clean, and accessible to the public.

“We want it to be spacious, bright, and clean,” Defensor said.

No formal agreement has been signed, and officials emphasized that the talks remain exploratory.

Prior to the meeting, Defensor stressed the need to respect the Iloilo City Government’s market regulations amid ongoing tensions over its strict enforcement of a 100-meter no-vending zone around the Iloilo Terminal Market.

The policy has led to clearing operations and reported confrontations with ambulant vendors mostly coming from the province.

The move drew criticism from some groups as “anti-poor” due to its impact on informal workers, while city officials maintained it is necessary to ensure order, safety, and compliance with market rules.

In response, the city government has set designated market days and time slots in public markets allowing ambulant vendors to sell, as part of efforts to balance livelihood opportunities with the rights of paying stallholders.

The Iloilo Terminal Market remains a key bagsakan, or wholesale drop-off point, for agricultural goods from the province.