Dumangas opens first phase of Marketmall

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By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Mariela Angella Oladive

Is it a market? Is it a mall? Close. It’s a market mall!

For another town in Iloilo’s 4th congressional district, its public market has been transformed into something mall-like, signaling a push to boost its economy and offer something both residents and visitors can be proud of.

The new two-story Dumangas Marketmall had the soft opening of its Phase 1 on Friday, Dec. 19.

A total of 68 stalls have already been awarded, including 35 for vegetables, 14 for fruits, 2 for dried fish, and 17 for retail.

Iloilo Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, and Dumangas Mayor Braeden John Biron, along with other local officials and market stakeholders, led the ribbon-cutting and witnessed the blessing of the new building.

The ground floor is allocated for vegetable and fruit stalls and sari-sari stores, while the second floor will host dry goods and other retail items.

It was constructed with PHP 134.25 million in funding from the national government, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)–Iloilo 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO).

The amount covered five contracts: F. Gurrea Construction Inc. (PHP 54 million) for the main structure; Topmost Development Corp. (PHP 30 million) for additional structural work; MZ Builders (two contracts totaling PHP 40 million) for various components; and Arriane Merchandising (PHP 10.25 million) for fixtures.

The original market structure was shuttered in 2022 to give way to the new facility, with vendors relocated to makeshift stalls nearby.

Rep. Biron told Daily Guardian that improving market infrastructure is key to helping vendors grow and attract more investments to the town.

“You really have to look at the infrastructure first, because if we don’t address the infrastructure [concerns], like in here [Dumangas market], it will get muddier. Like in the Barotac [Nuevo market], it was also muddy,” he said.

“If we don’t come up with handsome infrastructure, you cannot build a good market, you cannot attract small- to medium-sized investors here. So, basic in improving an economy is really the infrastructure,” he added.

Market stall rates, in place since 2022 via ordinance, remain at PHP 500.

While rental collections were suspended during construction, Mayor Biron announced that they will resume in January.

DPWH–Iloilo 2nd DEO officer-in-charge Eduard Oren told Daily Guardian they plan to bid out the remaining Phase 1 component—stall cabinets—in 2026.

Rep. Biron added that PHP 30 million has been allocated in the 2026 budget for Phase 2 under the DPWH’s regular infrastructure program. This includes an esplanade, river cleanup, and the conversion of the market’s Gatchalian building into a food hub.

He noted that Phase 2 was originally proposed at PHP 100 million under the National Expenditure Program but was reduced due to budget cuts related to ongoing flood control controversies.

Another Marketmall project is planned in Anilao—the vice governor’s hometown—which the lawmaker aims to fund through the 2027 national budget.

BETTER EXPERIENCES

Several vendors expressed satisfaction with the new facility, citing improved comfort and cleanliness.

Proserfina Gare, an 85-year-old vegetable vendor, told Daily Guardian she was pleased with the move to the new market, noting that the space is more ventilated and comfortable, especially at midday.

Belcy, a 59-year-old fruit vendor from Barangay Dacutan who has been selling at the market for nearly 20 years, said the Marketmall represented a major improvement.

“This Marketmall is a big improvement for us vendors. We are more comfortable here. Before, it was very crowded and unsanitary, but now the area is clean, and our stalls are new,” she said.

Another vegetable vendor, Ligaya, 79, who has been in the market trade for two decades, said the new market provided a more peaceful and orderly environment for selling.

Delilah, 68, from Barangay Tabucan, who has been selling at the market for four years, shared the same view, saying the new facility benefits both vendors and shoppers.