ILOILO City — Iloilo City’s newly rehabilitated public markets are emerging as models for other local governments, drawing benchmarking visits from more than 20 local government units as combined foot traffic at the facilities surpassed 10 million.
The twin milestones underscore the growing economic activity in the city’s upgraded markets and their increasing recognition as examples of improved market management and operations.
Maricel Mabaquiao, head of the Local Economic and Enterprise Office (LEEO), reported the figures to Mayor Raisa Treñas during the city government’s Livability Cluster meeting attended by department heads.
“Our rehabilitated public markets have now reached 10 million in foot traffic, and more than 20 local government units have conducted benchmarking activities in these markets to learn and adopt best practices in market management and operations,” Treñas said.
“This is an achievement for our Ilonggos — that we can become an example to others because of our progress,” she added.
The surge in visitors has also been accompanied by higher revenues from the city’s economic enterprises.
According to the city government, the seven public markets and slaughterhouse recorded a 2.69-percent increase in collections from January to June 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
“There has also been a 2.69% growth rate in our seven public markets and slaughterhouses here in the city from January to June 2026 when we compare it with the data from last year,” Treñas said.
Despite the encouraging figures, however, the city government still faces the challenge of filling hundreds of vacant stalls in its public markets.
There are currently 975 vacant stalls across the Central, Terminal, La Paz, Jaro Big, Arevalo and Mandurriao public markets.
Demand for the spaces has nevertheless exceeded the number available, with the city receiving 1,548 applications.
The Market Committee is reviewing and adjudicating the applications before the stalls are awarded to qualified vendors.
“Let us continue to ensure that the stalls in our public markets are filled and properly allocated to our vendors,” Treñas said.
“As of now, there are 975 vacant stalls in different public markets, while there are already 1,548 applications being reviewed and adjudicated as soon as possible by our Market Committee so these can be turned over to qualified applicants,” she added.
Treñas said the market figures go beyond statistics and reflect the city’s continuing economic activity and the role of residents in sustaining growth.
“These aren’t mere numbers, but clear signs that our city is moving in the right direction toward progress and economic growth — and this is because of the contribution of every Ilonggo,” she said.
She also emphasized that the rehabilitated markets remain vital to residents because they provide access to basic household necessities, particularly fresh and nutritious food.
“All our daily necessities at home, especially fresh and nutritious food for our families, can be bought from our renovated and improved public markets,” Treñas said.
The benchmarking visits also allow Iloilo City to share its approaches to market management and operations while learning from the practices of other local governments.
The city government regularly conducts Livability Cluster meetings with department heads to assess government services and operations and identify concerns requiring immediate action, improvement or intervention./PN
