‘MODERN, DIGNIFIED MARKETS’: Iloilo City touts soft reopening of big markets

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

That was how Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu described the city’s two largest public markets—the Central Market and the Terminal Market—which were softly reopened after nearly two years of redevelopment in partnership with mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc.

The reopened sections of both markets feature an expansion from a single-floor setup to three levels, offering more vendor space and enhanced amenities.

The Terminal Market, commonly known as “Super,” can now accommodate 1,250 vendors, up from 885, while the Central Market has increased its capacity to 850 vendors from the previous 603.

Both markets share a standardized layout: the ground floor is designated for wet goods such as meat, fish, poultry, and frozen items; the second floor houses dry goods, groceries, variety stalls, coconut grinders, and produce; and the third floor includes a food hall, eateries, services, and offices.

A roof deck provides parking space for at least 300 vehicles.

Several stalls are equipped with quick-response (QR) codes to enable digital payments.

The PHP 3 billion redevelopment was awarded to SMPHI in August 2022 under a public-private partnership, with the company as the sole bidder.

However, redevelopment of the Central Market faced delays in 2024 due to legal questions over the demolition of its 80-year-old structure.

Treñas-Chu and SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, accompanied by Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, city councilors, and representatives from the city government and SM.

At the Terminal Market program, Treñas-Chu reiterated the city’s commitment to retain full operation and management of the markets, preserve vendor stall allocations, and maintain current rental rates.

She shared a personal moment, revealing she suffered a miscarriage during the early stages of negotiating the market redevelopment while serving as executive assistant to then-mayor Jerry Treñas, her father.

“Let me emphasize, our markets are not privatized. The city government will still manage and operate all the public markets. All legitimate vendors will return and be accommodated,” Treñas-Chu said.

SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations Junias Eusebio described the redeveloped markets as “powerful symbols of Iloilo’s growth, progress, and the unwavering spirit of its people.”

“Through the redevelopment of these important landmarks, we aim to create clean, modern, and world-class markets, while also preserving the culture that keeps Iloilo’s rich history alive,” Eusebio said.

“These markets will become thriving centers of commerce, connection, and community, where local vendors, MSMEs, [and] local producers can continue to grow and succeed,” he added.

Leaders of vendors’ associations expressed gratitude for the redevelopment and soft reopening.

“After months, and even years, of anticipation, we finally set foot inside this beautiful, modern market that will serve as the new home of our hardworking vendors and a new destination of our beloved customers,” said Joseph Cabutad, President of the Iloilo Terminal Public Market Vendors Association.

“We are witnessing not just the opening of a modern building, but the rebirth of a marketplace that honors our heritage while embracing progress,” said Josefino Barroca, President of the Iloilo Central Public Market Vendors Association.