The Cebu City Council convened an executive session on June 23, 2026, to investigate allegations of unauthorized daily and monthly collections imposed on vendors at Carbon Public Market by various associations and individuals. The inquiry revealed that multiple groups collect fees, raising concerns over transparency and legality.
Scale of Collections Raises Red Flags
Councilor Alvin Arcilla highlighted that some vendors pay up to P420 per day in various fees and services. Using an estimated 3,800 vendors, he calculated that annual collections could reach nearly P500 million, far exceeding the Office of City Markets (OCM) reported annual collections of P130 million to P160 million. However, the OCM clarified that the P420 figure includes payments to service providers and is not limited to association dues.
Mayor Nestor Archival earlier estimated that organizations with about 2,000 members could be collecting as much as P18 million per month. Council members emphasized that any fees, rentals, or charges within the market must be transparent, lawful, and properly accounted for.
Market Officials Detail Existing Practices
OCM market overseer Elconjim Concha confirmed that vendor associations collect daily dues from members, while some individuals operate businesses renting out weighing scales, tables, tents, and other equipment. Concha noted these practices have existed for years, but determining legality falls under the City Legal Office's jurisdiction.
The OCM reported that 52 vendor associations operate in Carbon Public Market, though most are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The office recommended an ordinance limiting associations to one per street, given that Carbon consists of nine major streets.
Validation Reveals Discrepancies
Councilor Sisinio Andales sought clarification on the mayor-ordered investigation. While associations submitted lists showing about 3,900 vendors, a seven-day validation by market personnel found only about 3,500 active vendors. Of these, 1,800 appeared in the city's 2023 records, while about 1,600 were newly identified in 2026. Market officials also disclosed that individuals engaged in equipment rentals admitted lacking business permits.
Councilor Joel Garganera called for a joint validation involving the OCM, vendor groups, and the developer to determine the actual number of ambulant vendors operating in the market.
Vendor Leaders Defend Dues
Vendor leaders denied allegations of illegal collections. Evangeline Punay, secretary general of the Alliance of Energetic Vendors Association Inc. (Aevai), said their group collects only P20 to P30 per night from members, plus a P5 burial contribution. They also rent tents for P100 with an additional P20 charge for electricity. Punay emphasized that Aevai is SEC-registered, city-accredited, tax-paying, and holds a business permit.
Maria Pino of the Cebu Coalition of the United Vendors Association (Ccuva) disputed claims of P300 to P420 daily collections, stating the figure combines association dues, private service payments, and government charges like rentals and market fees. She stressed that vendors are not required to avail of private services and urged authorities to distinguish between association dues, private transactions, and government fees.
“If there are abuses, investigate them. If there are illegal collections, stop them. But let us not confuse government fees, association fees, and private service payments as if they were all the same thing because they are not,” Pino said.
Next Steps
The OCM committed to submitting updated lists of vendors, associations, and individuals collecting fees as the City Council considers measures to regulate associations and collections within Carbon Public Market.
