PERSISTENT DELAYS: Another Setback Hits Opening of Central, Terminal Markets

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The scheduled opening of Iloilo City’s redeveloped Central and Terminal Markets has been delayed again, with the transfer of displaced vendors now expected in September.

“SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) said that they will be done with construction by September,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a press conference earlier this week.

He did not specify the reason for the rescheduling of the markets’ reopening.

Treñas explained that once construction is completed, vendors will begin transferring to the new facilities, and the markets will officially open to the public by October, alongside the mall component.

“We don’t want our vendors to move in if the mall is not finished yet because that will defeat the purpose of their convenience,” he added.

The redevelopment project began in September 2023, with initial completion set for December 2024.

It was later pushed to May 2025 and is now slated for September.

Treñas previously attributed the delay to an administrative complaint filed in July 2024.

Though not explicitly named, Jose Nereo Lujan, head of the Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office, filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over the redevelopment of the Central Market, particularly the demolition of its 80-year-old art deco façade.

The renovation of both Central and Terminal Markets is being implemented through a public-private partnership with SMPHI, which was awarded a 25-year lease agreement for the project.

The redeveloped markets will reportedly have three floors: the first for the wet section, the second for dry goods, and the third for parking.

Modern features include building management systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and computerized maintenance management.

Meanwhile, the city mayor said the Arevalo Market will be completed ahead of the Central and Terminal Markets.

The La Paz Market is also expected to be completed this year.

The Jaro Market, the largest among the city’s public markets, will be finished at a later date due to its scale and complexity.

“It covers at least two hectares. It is our largest market, but the renovation is better because you already have a parking area,” Treñas said.

He also noted that the police station previously located behind the old municipal hall in Jaro has been transferred to Ungka.

However, due to concerns about illegal drug activity in the area, a new police station with personnel from Ungka will be established behind the Jaro Market.

The renovation of the three public markets is partly funded by a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.