Regular Calle Real Night Market Eyed in Iloilo City

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu is considering the establishment of a regular night market along the historic Calle Real, also known as JM Basa Street, in the City Proper.

Treñas-Chu announced the plan during the Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo on July 2, saying the city government will first introduce Negosyo carts along the street to coincide with the reopening of the Iloilo Central and Terminal Markets.

The two public markets are currently being redeveloped by SM Prime Holdings Inc. and are expected to reopen to vendors by September or October.

“We will put stalls and provide monoblocks for their Negosyo carts to help our small players in the business sector,” Treñas-Chu said.

“We will have sidewalk vendors there, and they can clean the area early in the morning,” she added.

Treñas-Chu emphasized her goal to revitalize Calle Real while boosting local economic activity.

In 2024, the city government launched similar night market events on Calle Real during special occasions.

The first Calle Real Night Market was held in August 2024 during Iloilo’s 87th Charter Day and its recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

The night market operated on select weekends in August from 5 p.m. to midnight, running from Sunburst Park to Guanco Street.

A Christmas edition followed in November 2024, expanding to about 100 stalls and featuring more vendors and performers.

Treñas-Chu also cited the city’s ongoing support for micro, small, and medium enterprises and sidewalk vendors through the USWAG Negosyo Academy.

The program provides training in upskilling, financial literacy, and startup capital.

She underscored the importance of sustaining local economic growth through initiatives like Negosyo carts, Merkado Lokal, streamlined business permitting, and new incentive zones to encourage entrepreneurship.

Treñas-Chu announced plans to showcase Ilonggo products at the World Food Expo Manila 2025, scheduled for August 6 to 9 at the World Trade Center Manila and SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

She said this marks the first time a local government will participate in the country’s top food and hospitality exhibition.

“If our products are more exposed, our MSMEs will improve,” she said, emphasizing the expanded market access the event could provide for local businesses.

She added that the city is also planning to bring the Iloilo Trade Fair to Metro Manila.