ILOILO City – What was once a maze of crowded aisles and dripping ceilings has now become a gleaming symbol of Iloilo’s progress.
The newly redeveloped Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market officially opened their doors on Thursday, October 30, drawing praise from shoppers and vendors alike for their cleanliness, orderliness, and modern facilities — a transformation many Ilonggos consider long overdue.
For residents who have spent years navigating the cramped, flood-prone stalls of the old public markets, the change is nothing short of revolutionary. The markets — redeveloped through public-private partnership (PPP) between the Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. — are now regarded as flagship projects of urban renewal that blend functionality, tradition, and pride.
“Nami ang Central Market subong kay tam-an ka limpyo, tanan arranged by section. Kun diri sa dalom isdaan, isdaan ka lang. Sa pihak ang karne kag poultry. Lain gid sa ya kaysa sa iba nga market. Hapos lang pangitaon kun may baklon ka. Indi parehos sang una nga kun diin-diin lang. Happy gid ako kay well-organized, limpyo. Bisan mag-ulan indi na magbaha,” said Felly Cabrillos, 65, a business owner and retired chemistry professor from the City Proper.
Cabrillos, a long-time market patron, said shopping has become “comfortable and enjoyable” after decades of enduring the old setup.
For Herman Lapu-os, 62, a businessman from Molo district, the changes make both buying and selling easier.
“Happy gid. Nami ang gin paubra nila diri — mas kumportable kami diri magbakal labi na gid diri sa isdaan. Maayo man magpaninda ka, indi mainit, indi ka maulanan kag indi ka gid ya mabudlayan,” he said.
Taxi driver Reynel Peñafiel, 46, who traveled from Cabatuan, Iloilo to visit the markets, was equally impressed.
“Natural gid nga ma-happy ako kay ti bag-o mo. Maligwa, dako kag taas. Ma-aliwalas ang palibot. Ang mga tawo nga mamakal kumportable indi na sila mag ginutok kag mag das-ukanay kay ligwa na. Te, ako halin pa sa Cabatuan, mas convenient na ini sa akon. At least bisan layo, pag-abot diri, indi man ako mabudlayan mamakal,” he said.
Even casual buyers now see the markets as destinations in themselves.
“Clean and organized. Nami na gid kadtuan kag lantawon. Pwede na lagawan kay dako na,” said Mae, 49, a small business owner from La Paz district.
A Dream Realized
Mayor Raisa Treñas led the soft opening ceremonies, calling the redevelopment “a dream fulfilled” and “a testament to what good governance and partnership can achieve.”
“Subong nga adlaw, may daku gid kita nga rason nga magkalipay kag magpasalamat sa Ginoo, bangod isa sa pinakadaku naton nga handum — ang matahum, matinlo, kag moderno nga public markets — finally, ari na, natumanna,” Treñas said.
She credited her father and predecessor, former mayor Jerry Treñas, for initiating the PPP with SM Prime Holdings, and thanked Hans Sy Jr. and SM officials for their collaboration and trust.
Modern Market Features
The redeveloped markets now feature three levels — a leap from the single-floor layout of the old facilities:
* Ground Level – fish and meat, frozen goods, coco grinder
* Second Level – fruits and vegetables, grocery, rice and grains, eggs and dried fish
* Third Level (Mezzanine) – eatery, dry goods, lumpia wrapper maker, computer shops
With better layout and organization, the Iloilo Terminal Market can now accommodate 1,250 vendors; the Iloilo Central Market, 850 vendors.
City government officials assured that management remains under the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO), with no rent increase for a year and all previous legitimate vendors reinstated.
Each markets are also equipped with a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for waste and wastewater management.
The Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO) introduced new traffic schemes and designated parking zones, with the roof deck parking set to open soon.
Sustaining Culinary Heritage
As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Iloilo sees its modernized markets as essential in preserving its culinary heritage.
Clean, organized, and accessible spaces guarantee that Ilonggos continue to enjoy fresh, high-quality ingredients — the backbone of the city’s globally recognized cuisine.
From better facilities to empowered vendors, the redevelopment of the Iloilo Central and Terminal markets are a landmark achievement — one that reflects the Ilonggos’ commitment to progress and their shared spirit of “Uswag Iloilo”, according to Mayor Treñas./PN
