Rooftop parking fees proposed to curb all-day stays at Iloilo markets

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The proposed pay parking scheme at the rooftop parking areas of Iloilo City’s two largest public markets aims to deter all-day vehicle stays and ensure fair access for legitimate marketgoers, according to Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu.

Treñas-Chu certified the measure as urgent, covering the Iloilo City Terminal (Super) Public Market and the Iloilo City Central (Tienda Mayor) Public Market, both major commercial hubs in the city’s downtown district.

The proposed ordinance has passed first reading in the Iloilo City Council.

Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, the mayor’s spokesperson, said the regulated parking scheme is meant to maintain public order and improve parking management in the two facilities.

She said the first two hours of parking will remain free to ensure vendors, customers, and mallgoers have access to available spaces.

Under the proposal, the rooftop parking areas will be managed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), the developer of the markets, with revenue to be shared equally between the company and the city government after administrative expenses.

Both markets have around 300 parking slots each, with about 200 spaces allocated for cars and the remaining slots designated for motorcycles.

“This is not a move to commercialize parking. This is a move to regulate it. This is about responsibility, safety, and fairness for everyone,” Fantilaga-Gorzal said.

The city government has previously imposed street parking fees in downtown areas, including Arsenal, Solis, Guanco, Ortiz, and Peralta streets, with rates enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the first two hours, motorcycles are charged PHP 15, tricycles PHP 20, and light vehicles — including sedans, SUVs, and vans — PHP 25, with an additional PHP 5 charged for every succeeding hour.

Since the opening of the two redeveloped markets, the mayor’s office said some motorists have been parking their vehicles for the entire day, sometimes even beyond mall operating hours.

Officials said this practice effectively turns the parking facilities into long-term vehicle storage rather than short-term parking for market users.

“Because of this, vendors, market-goers, and customers with legitimate transactions in the market and the mall area have no parking space, and it is unfair for them,” Fantilaga-Gorzal said.

“Parking areas are meant for active users of the market and mall, not for vehicle storage,” she added.

The two public markets were redeveloped through a public-private partnership between the Iloilo City government and SMPHI, with the facilities now including integrated mall components similar to SM Supermarket-style retail spaces occupying the first and second floors of the redeveloped complexes.

Maricel Mabaquiao, head of the Local Economic Enterprise Office, said the utilization of the two markets follows a 50–50 arrangement between the city government and SMPHI.

She said the city government manages designated sections of the first floor, while the second floor houses fruits and vegetable stalls, groceries, and variety stores.

The third floor of the markets is allocated for eateries and dining areas.