CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Cebu2World Development, Inc. (C2W) has formally notified Mayor Nestor Archival that it will begin collecting market fees at the Carbon Public Market on March 1, pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) it entered into with the Cebu City Government granting it the right to redevelop, operate, and collect revenues from the market for 50 years.
In a letter dated January 27 and coursed through City Treasurer Emma Villarete, C2W said the collection of market fees would start next month and sought the city government’s coordination to ensure an orderly transition consistent with the JVA and existing ordinances.
However, the same letter also stated that collection from stallholders and ambulant vendors would begin earlier, on February 15, 2026, with a three-month transition period in coordination with the Office of the City Markets—creating confusion over the actual start date.
The differing timelines have fueled uncertainty, even as Villarete confirmed to The Freeman that her office received a copy of the letter but is awaiting the mayor’s directive before taking any action.
A copy of the letter was shared publicly by the Carbonhanong Alyansa, which posted it online “for public information and transparency.” The coalition said the issue directly affects vendors, consumers, and the general public, reiterating its position that revenue collection from a public market—especially Carbon, the city’s main hub for agricultural trade—should remain under government control.
“Ang posisyon sa Carbonhanon nanukad sa pangpublikong palisiya… angayang magpabilin ilawom sa kontrol sa publiko ug dili sa pribadong korporasyon,” the group said, citing concerns over food security, livelihoods, and transparency.
Meanwhile, Maria Pino of the Cebu Coalition of United Vendors Association said they were not yet aware of the planned fee collection and that no meeting had been scheduled regarding the matter.
The JVA was originally signed on January 11, 2021 between the Cebu City Government and Megawide Construction Corporation, granting the private partner the right to redevelop, operate, and collect revenues from Carbon Market for 50 years. On May 27, 2021, Megawide’s subsidiary Cebu2World formally assumed all obligations under the agreement.
Under Section 3.2 of the JVA, as modified by a supplemental agreement, Cebu2World is entitled to collect rentals, fees, and other revenues from stallholders and vendors, with the city retaining oversight but not direct collection authority. Section 7.1 further designates the private partner as responsible for collecting public market fees.
This arrangement was reinforced by City Ordinance No. 2719, approved on October 18, 2023, which amended the Cebu City Market Code and updated fee structures to align with the JVA.
Court intervention sought
The notice comes as Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña sought the intervention of the Supreme Court through a petition for certiorari questioning the constitutionality of the JVA. On January 16, 2026, Osmeña petitioned the high tribunal claiming that the JVA violates constitutional and statutory provisions, undermines public accountability, and places Cebu City at a financial disadvantage.
Osmeña warned that the agreement effectively privatizes a public market for half a century, stripping the city of direct control over revenues and operations. The petition names Archival, former mayor Michael Rama, and Cebu2World executives as respondents.
Archival has previously described the JVA as “one-sided” and detrimental to vendors, and has proposed its renegotiation to protect the interests of more than 4,000 stallholders.
Long regarded as the heart of Cebu’s commerce and heritage, Carbon Market now stands at a crossroads. While redevelopment promises modern facilities and potential tourism gains, it also raises pressing questions about heritage preservation, equitable governance, and the livelihoods of thousands of Cebuano vendors.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol /Photo by Aldo Banaynal
