ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has begun exploratory talks with a private developer to establish a food terminal and farmer’s market, a move aimed at strengthening market access for farmers and easing the burden on small vendors across the province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. confirmed that discussions are underway with Vista Land Commercial Assets (VCA) following a meeting on April 15 at the Provincial Capitol, where company officials proposed a potential site at Vista Mall in Oton, Iloilo.
The initiative, still in its planning stage, is seen as a critical step toward addressing long-standing gaps in post-harvest facilities and direct market access for farmers, while also creating organized spaces for ambulant vendors or “bolanteros.”
Defensor said the proposed facility could serve as a central trading hub that would draw more foot traffic and potentially spur the development of complementary infrastructure, including a transport terminal for farmers bringing produce from southern, central, and northern Iloilo.
The governor also floated the idea of piloting a weekend flea market within the area but stressed that any development must prioritize orderliness and sanitation.
“Gusto naton sang mala, sanag, kag limpyo,” Defensor said.
Despite the promising talks, no formal agreement has been finalized, and the timeline for the project remains uncertain as it hinges on securing a viable location and firming up private sector participation.
Earlier, Defensor acknowledged that the provincial government alone lacks the financial capacity to establish a full-scale food terminal, underscoring the need for collaboration with private investors.
“We are involving the private sector’s part here once concrete na ini. That is our direction. We try to do that, except that what is keeping us, nga probinsya lang ya, we can’t afford to put up and be a food terminal. That is for national government fund, but in the meantime, since we can’t have that, we look for private sector partners,” he said.
Defensor also assured that the envisioned facility would be open to all vendors, whether from Iloilo province or Iloilo City, and would function as a direct market platform for farmers transporting their goods to urban centers.
“That is for everybody. The point is, it’s like a food terminal that also serves as a direct market for our farmers. Ina bala ang mga mangunguma nga gakarga sa jeep sang ila nga produkto, ginabiyahe nila sa syudad, basi bala makapangita kita sang isa ka lugar nga maayo para sa ila,” he added./PN
