ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has praised the transformation of Iloilo City’s public markets, calling the redevelopment of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market as a “remarkable” example of how public-private partnerships (PPP) can modernize urban infrastructure and boost local enterprise.
He also lauded the newly-rehabilitated public markets in Jaro and La Paz districts.
Defensor said he was personally struck by the scale and quality of the changes when he toured the facilities last weekend, noting that while he was aware of the redevelopment efforts, seeing the finished markets up close highlighted how dramatically they have been upgraded.
“I am truly amazed by the remarkable transformation,” Defensor said.
The governor attributed the improvements of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market to a well-executed PPP arrangement, describing the markets as aligned with global trends he has observed both online and in other countries.
“That, really, is the direction of our public markets…a good example of PPP,” he said.
Defensor said the province is also considering similar projects, though adapted to a different scale given the smaller population and market size outside the city.
He revealed that the provincial government is exploring the development of transport and food terminals through PPP and is already engaging private sector partners for possible collaboration.
Defensor also credited strong political leadership for sustaining the vision behind the projects, commending former mayor Jerry Treñas and current Mayor Raisa Treñas for carrying the initiative forward.
The redevelopment of the Central and Terminal Markets was undertaken through a PPP with SM Prime Holdings, which Defensor said demonstrates the gains that can result from effective cooperation between government and the private sector.
“The upgraded facilities in these public markets not only open fresh opportunities for long-time vendors and new businesses to thrive, but also provide market-goers with greater comfort, convenience, and variety under one roof,” Defensor said.
He added that the provincial government welcomes the project’s broader economic impact.
“The Province of Iloilo deeply appreciates this redevelopment, as it empowers our small and medium enterprises and homegrown brands to grow, thereby strengthening the local economy and enriching the lives of our people,” he said./PN
