The redevelopment of the Iloilo Central Market is on target and is expected to open by December 2024.
This was shared by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas during his recent inspection of the market which is also popularly known as “Tienda Mayor”.
According to him, the topping-off ceremony for the “Tienda Mayor” is set for August. It is when all the concrete works are done and the finishing jobs will commence.
By November, the vendors who are currently selling their products in makeshift stalls can gradually start to occupy the newly redeveloped market.
“We will be joined by the vendors and the business community during the topping-off ceremony. This is a milestone. The construction is on target,” said Treñas.
He was joined during the inspection by Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) head Maricel Mabaquiao; City Architect Regina Gregorio, and Office of the Building Official head Engr. Mavi Gustilo; SM officials such as SM Regional Operations Manager – Visayas 3 Girlie Libo-on; SM Group Marketing Manager Visayas 3 Kristine Yap; and Engr. Reynaldo San Gabriel, SM PMG head for Visayas.
To note, the redevelopment of the Central Market along with the Iloilo Terminal Market popularly known as “Super”, which are the two biggest public markets in the metro, was made possible through a Public-Private Partnership between the Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings Inc.
“This is a dream come true, not only for the mayor but for everyone. This is for the Ilonggos. I am very thankful to SM. The city cannot afford this and SM came in and make sure that the dream of everyone for Iloilo’s markets will come true,” the city mayor expressed.
He acknowledged the support of market vendors, whom he had a fun and interesting conversation with during his market visit, in the realization of the project.
“What is good this time is that our vendors are very cooperative because they have seen that this is really for them,” he added.
The vendors also expressed to Treñas their eagerness to already return to the market.
From the original 600 stalls, Mabaquiao said the redeveloped Central Market will have 285 to 300 more stalls, which means more vendors or transient ones can be accommodated.
The Super, meanwhile, will have a total of 1,250 stalls from the original 800.
Meantime, Treñas also reiterated his assurance to the vendors that there would be no increase in rental fees to allow them to recoup their income.
The City Mayor expressed that it will be exciting times ahead for Iloilo City with the completion of the redevelopment of all the city-run public markets, complementing the improvements of public plazas, and other infrastructure projects in the metro. (Iloilo City PIO)
