Cebu City Mayor Stands Firm Against Private Fee Collection at Carbon Market
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of vendors at the Carbon Public Market. This declaration came during a meeting with various vendor groups at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The mayor expressed strong opposition to a proposal that would shift the responsibility of collecting market fees to a private developer, emphasizing his dedication to protecting local traders from potential financial burdens.
Mayor Archival Challenges Developer's Plan
At the dialogue, which included members of the Carbonhanong Alyansa and other vendor associations, Mayor Archival addressed concerns related to the 2021 joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Cebu City Government and Megawide Construction Corp. He specifically opposed the plan by Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), a subsidiary of Megawide, to begin collecting market fees starting February 15 or March 1 as part of the Carbon redevelopment project. Maria Pino, president of the Cebu Coalition of United Vendors Association (CCUVA), directly questioned the mayor about his stance on transferring collection duties to C2W, citing fears of possible rent increases.
In response, Mayor Archival confirmed his opposition to the suggestion and has directed the City Legal Office to review certain provisions in the JVA that govern C2W's rights and obligations in fee collection. He explained that under the JVA, an oversight committee comprising representatives from the City Government and Megawide must be established before any transfer of collection rights can occur. According to the mayor, this committee has not yet been formed, highlighting a procedural gap in the agreement's implementation.
Current Fee Collection System and Vendor Statistics
Eliconjim "Elcon" Concha from the Office of the City Market provided details on the current fee collection system. He noted that the Office of the City Treasurer currently manages the collection of "arkabala" or daily tickets from ambulant vendors, as well as rents from regular stallholders. Ambulant vendors pay P20 per day, while stallholders are charged based on square meterage, depending on classification. Concha added that there are currently over 4,000 ambulant vendors and stallholders operating in the Carbon Market, underscoring the scale of the issue and its impact on the local economy.
Upcoming Review and Mayor's Personal Connection
Mayor Archival has urged vendor leaders to voice their concerns during an executive session of the City Council scheduled for March 17, where the JVA is set to be reviewed. This move aims to ensure transparency and address vendor anxieties proactively. Additionally, the mayor refuted social media allegations that he has abandoned the vendors, reminding attendees of his personal history as a former vendor at Carbon Market during his youth. He reiterated that as a city councilor in 2021, he opposed the signing of the JVA due to beliefs that its full implementation could lead to increased prices for goods, further emphasizing his long-standing advocacy for vendor interests.
