Cebu's Carbon Market Developer Delays Fee Collection, Awaits City Directive

Cebu's Carbon Market Developer Delays Fee Collection, Awaits City Directive

Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), the developer behind the Carbon Public Market redevelopment in Cebu City, has announced it will not begin collecting market fees on February 15, 2026, as initially discussed. The company stated that any collection plan requires a formal directive from the Cebu City Government and a three-month transition period to ensure a smooth implementation.

Clarification Amid Vendor Protests

Jynx Chanjueco, marketing and corporate affairs manager of C2W, made this clarification on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, following concerns raised by vendors about possible fee increases. Vendors had held a silent protest on February 5 along M.C. Briones Extension, opposing what they feared were higher stall rentals and new collection rules. Some vendor leaders had claimed collection would start by mid-February, potentially increasing costs.

Chanjueco explained that C2W sent a letter dated January 27, 2026, to Mayor Nestor Archival to formally inform the City Government of its plan to implement a new collection arrangement under the 2021 joint venture agreement (JVA). The letter mentioned dates like February 15 and March 1 to initiate discussions on transferring collection duties from the City Government to the developer. However, no changes in collection or rates will take effect without a direct order and close coordination with the Cebu City Government.

Transition Period and Coordination

Chanjueco emphasized that a directive must come from the Office of the City Markets (OCM), naming a City focal person to coordinate with C2W during the transition. The company has proposed a three-month transition period, during which it will work with the Office of the City Treasurer, the OCM, and other departments to finalize procedures. One proposal includes a buddy system where City market personnel are paired with C2W staff during collections.

Additionally, C2W plans to conduct information campaigns to explain the new system to regular stallholders and recognized ambulant vendors. Market fees will only be collected from vendors included in the final, updated roster of authorized operators at the Carbon Public Market.

Market Rates and Vendor Concerns Addressed

Vendor groups had raised concerns that rental rates could increase to P21 per square meter by 2026 under City Ordinance 2719. They also questioned arrangements beyond 2028. In response, Chanjueco stated that the OCM continues to collect fees based on the 2017 Market Code, not the 2023 amended version. C2W will retain the 2017 rate of P8.50 per square meter per day for the next three years to ensure a smooth transition.

Under the 2023 amended Market Code, the rate for 2026 is set at P21 per square meter per day, which vendors have opposed. Chanjueco clarified that any rate increase must be approved by the Cebu City Government through an ordinance passed by the City Council. He added that formalizing operations could reduce daily costs for approximately 4,000 ambulant vendors. Many currently pay about P420 per day for private tent rentals, storage fees, and unofficial "arkabala" (daily tax) systems. Once transferred to the new facility, these costs are expected to drop to about P90 per day because vendors will no longer need private tents or off-site storage.

Project Details and Timeline

The P8-billion Carbon redevelopment project is a public-private partnership between the Cebu City Government and Megawide Construction Corp., with C2W as its subsidiary. The main public market building is scheduled for completion in December 2026 and will initially house vendors from the flowers, natives, wet market, and fruit sections.

The project includes:

• Freedom Park and the main public market building, replacing the Warwick Barracks.
• Vendor hubs such as the vegetable market (Unit 1), the dry goods and carinderia Market (Unit 2 or Interim Public Market), and Puso Village.
• A multistory parking and transport terminal at Unit 3, covering the fruit section.

The lower and upper ground floors will be used for market operations, while the second floor and higher levels will be leased to commercial establishments like coffee shops, souvenir stores, banks, and courier services. The new facility will feature permanent roofing, organized vendor spaces, and metered water and electricity systems so vendors pay based on actual use.

C2W assured that it will not build a supermarket to avoid competing with public market vendors. An "as is, where is" setup will remain during construction to prevent vendor displacement. Under the agreement, the City Government is guaranteed P50 million annually, regardless of vendor rental income, with additional revenue coming from commercial establishments. Chanjueco noted that C2W's return on investment will mainly come from upper-floor commercial spaces, not from public market vendors.

Ongoing Debate and Legal Challenges

Despite these assurances, some vendor groups continue to question whether transferring operational control to a private company amounts to privatization. C2W said it remains open to consultations to review floor plans, transition plans, and vendor concerns.

On February 10, 2026, City Councilor Sisinio Andales asked the City Council to revisit the JVA signed on January 12, 2021, by late Mayor Edgardo Labella and supplemented in 2022 under then Mayor Michael Rama. Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court, seeking a temporary restraining order. He cited alleged violations of a City ordinance and provisions he described as "grossly disadvantageous" to the Cebu City Government.

The Carbon redevelopment remains one of the most debated public-private partnership projects in Cebu City, drawing attention from vendors, officials, and the courts.