Central Market leak traced to downspout issue

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Water that gushed from the second floor of Iloilo Central Market on Sunday night, May 24, was caused by a leak in the market’s downspout or drainpipe system, according to the market officer-in-charge.

Market officer-in-charge Donna Barido said the video showing water pouring from the second floor was taken near the entrance facing the SM side, close to a café inside the complex.

Barido said the incident occurred after heavy rains Sunday night, and an initial assessment indicated that the problem was caused by drainage overflow rather than structural damage.

She said the water discharge came from a downspout system located near a central post inside the market area.

A downspout is a vertical pipe that carries rainwater from roof gutters to the ground or to storm drainage systems to prevent flooding and water buildup.

“A leak or seepage was coming from the downspout near the post in the middle area of the market,” Barido said in an interview.

She clarified that no vendor goods or products were damaged despite the visible water leakage near the entrance facing SM.

Barido said the issue was immediately addressed by SM’s engineering team.

Iloilo Central Market and the nearby Terminal Market were redeveloped through a partnership with SM Prime Holdings Corp., which integrated a commercial mall wing into the public market complex.

Since reopening last year, the redeveloped markets have faced recurring concerns involving water seepage, leaks and drainage problems.

In January, vendors reported water leaks, cracked tiles and drainage failures in parts of the complex, temporarily disrupting operations.

Some vendors also previously raised complaints about recurring roof leaks and water seepage affecting lower floors during heavy rains.