ILOILO City – The grand reopening of the redeveloped Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market tomorrow, October 30, marks a milestone in the city’s decades-long effort to modernize its public markets — a project both celebrated and cautiously watched by thousands of vendors who call these markets their livelihood.
For many, the reopening means the end of years of selling in cramped, flood-prone, and poorly ventilated spaces.
Yet beneath the excitement lies anxiety over smaller stall spaces, stricter operating rules, and new payment obligations that some fear may burden small traders.
“Nami pamatyag namon kay makasaylo na kami sa bag-o nga baligyaan. Excited gid kami,” said Estrella Tajanlangit, 59, a fish vendor from Barangay Nonoy, City Proper. “Ginapangamuyo ko lang sa mahal nga Ginoo nga magnami lang ang baklanay sa sulod. Kay diri sa daan nga pwesto pigado gid. Pero kun didto na kami sa sulod, mas kumportable kag makaplastar gid kami.”
Tajanlangit, who has spent decades selling fish at the Iloilo Central Market, said she doesn’t mind the smaller space as long as the area remains clean and orderl:. “Gamay lang ang space pero at least may pwesto ka nga baligyaan. Amo na ya ang importante.”
Over at the Iloilo Terminal Market, Alma Trinidad, 52, from Barantgay Rizal Pala-pala, shares the same optimism after 18 years of braving the elements: “Okay man kami. At least indi na kami mabasa sang ulan sa gwa.”
“Excited kami nga makaumpisa. Subong wala pa pagpasaka sang presyo kay wala man pagtaas sang renta. Indi man kami magpataas sang presyo tungod maperde kami sang kompetensya sa gwa kun mapataas pa kami,” she added.
Trinidad believes the new, organized setup will draw more buyers: “Ang advantage kun diri na kami sa sulod — limpyo na ang merkado, basi damo pa gid nga customer ang mabakal sa amon.”
For Gertrudes Claro, 63, from Barangay Loboc, La Paz district, the change is a long-awaited comfort.
“Excited gid kami makasaylo to sa bag-o. Nakita namon limpyo kag komportable gid didto,” she said. “Okay gid didto, malapad kag indi na mainit. Sa bayranay naman, may goodwill payment kami nga P5,000, pero okay lang kay bag-o kag matahum man ang pwesto.”
But not all are content.
Ligaya, a 40-year meat vendor from Mandurriao district, said the new structure also comes with limits.
“Actually at first happy gid kami, kay bag-o kag limpyo ang market. Pero ang negative side is damo restrictions,” she said.
“Kami nga meat vendors kinahanglan sang lapad nga lugar, pero gamay lang ang area nga ginhatag. Sige lang, daw rason nila kay iya kuno sang government kag barato amon rent,” Ligaya explained.
Despite mixed sentiments, most vendors see the reopening as a turning point — one that could either revitalize small-scale trade or test their resilience under modernized market systems.
“Amo man lang ‘ni amon source of income. Excited kag happy man kami, pero may gamay nga kasubo tungod sang restrictions,” Ligaya added.
The P3-billion rehabilitation of the Central and Terminal markets is a city government public-private partnership with SM Prime Holdings. Their modern architectural designs, first unveiled in May 2023, are envisioned to turn the city’s traditional palengkes into vibrant economic hubs, combining heritage and innovation.
Once operational, the new Central and Terminal markets are expected to revitalize local commerce, improve trading conditions, and symbolize Iloilo’s urban transformation — cementing the city’s position as Western Visayas’ model for public market redevelopment.
The redevelopment aims to provide the city with a sustainable multi-use market complex that will foster and enhance business activities while preserving the economic value of the Old Central Business District (Calle Real) of Iloilo City.
The Iloilo Central Market – also called “Tienda Mayor” – will capture Iloilo’s heritage and progress as a vibrant marketplace, offering a diverse range of local products and experiences for both residents and tourists. It will also support MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) growth by providing excellent amenities, creating a thriving hub for vendors and the community.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Terminal Market – popularly known as “Super” – is where most of the produce from other parts of Panay Island is traded, both wholesale and retail.
The groundbreaking for the Central and Terminal markets was held on September 18, 2023.
Iloilo City is embracing a global trend by transforming its public markets into vibrant cultural and tourism hubs, following the footsteps of iconic international markets that blend commerce with culture./PN