Carbon Market redevelopment takes shape

THREE years after sealing the Carbon Public Market Redevelopment Project, Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W) is ramping up efforts to revitalize Cebu’s largest and most historic public market. In January 2021, the Cebu City Government and Megawide Construction Corp.

signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), paving the way for Megawide to spearhead the transformation of the Carbon Public Market into a world-class marketplace. Under the JVA, C2W, a subsidiary of Megawide, will lead the modernization of the Carbon Public Market in three phases: the development of Carbon Market Units 1 and 2 and Compaña Maritima (Phase 1), Freedom Park (Phase 2), and Sitio Bato and Unit 3 (Phase 3). However, the project started with challenges, particularly the opposition of various market vendors and associations, fearing rental hikes and displacement, and the scrutiny of some city council members.



Despite these challenges, C2W fulfilled its initial obligations, including the redevelopment of Freedom Park. Once filled with flower shops and eateries, the area across the University of San Jose–Recoletos has been transformed into an open park featuring an obelisk. Another key development was the construction of the Interim Market Building, a multi-story public market built at Unit 2, replacing the old infrastructure that was destroyed by fire.

Flower vendors, eateries, and general merchandise vendors from the former Freedom Park were relocated to the Interim Market. The Sto. Niño Chapel and Park, situated across the Executive Building of Cebu City Hall and the City Treasurer’s Office, were also inaugurated.

In December 2022, the operation of the Puso Village and the Mechanical Parking System in the vicinity of Compania Maritima was halted due to a preliminary injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court in favor of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) over the lot ownership dispute with the City Government. Both C2W projects were left idle for about two years, while some locators of the Puso Village were relocated to The Barracks in front of the Freedom Park. The ownership has soured the relationship between the CPA and the City Hall under the leadership of now-dismissed mayor Michael Rama, and the case remains pending at the Court of Appeals.

In November 2024, C2W encountered opposition from market vendors and associations after securing approval for its variance application to change the land classification of Warwick Barracks from Institutional 2 to Commercial 2. This change was crucial for the construction of Market Redevelopment Phase 1B, which includes The Barracks and the main public market. However, market vendors opposed the move, raising concerns about potential rent increases, loss of stall spaces, and other issues.

Masterplan In an exclusive interview on Dec. 12, Lydwena Eco, deputy general manager of C2W, said the firm envisioned the Carbon Public Market Development Project into a Food and Tourism Hub of the city of Cebu by 2030. In their masterplan, the project was divided into four zones: the parks and chapel, the public market, the transportation zone, and the Tourism Zone.

Eco said C2W’s latest Site Development Plan was submitted to the Joint Venture Selection Committee on Aug. 17, 2022. Specifically, the public market zone is located at the B2, B3, and B4 zones, while the Tourism Zone includes Puso Village, Area 3, and Maritima.

A multi-story parking building is to be constructed at the B5 and B6 zones under the transportation zone. In its updated Redevelopment Plan from 2024 to 2030, Eco said C2W also envisioned the public market to be a business district. “We do not have an intention to make it into something like an SM, Robinsons, or shopping, because if we would, then we could have pursued to construct one at the SRP (South Road Properties) lot,” said Eco.

Eco added they took inspiration from other countries that have transformed their public market into a tourism spot. The process began with identifying public market vendors who would benefit from the project. According to the Market Operations Division, there are 1,829 vendors with regular stalls and lease contracts with the Cebu City government.

Eco said these figures served as the basis for C2W in determining the number of stalls and slots to be included in the main public market buildings. She assured the vendors that buffer slots were allocated to accommodate more. By 2030 This year, C2W continued maintaining its parks and chapel, including Freedom Park and the Sto.

Niño Chapel, while also managing the Interim Market at the B4 zone. The efforts also covered The Barracks at the B1 zone, located in front of Freedom Park, which now offers 42 car parking spaces and 189 motorcycle parking spots. Ongoing construction and refitting works are underway at the Tourism Zone, including Puso Village, the Mechanical Parking area, Area 3, and the Compania Maritima Ruins.

Preparatory work has also begun for the upcoming construction of the multi-story Main Public Market in the B2 zone. At the Interim Market, Eco said C2W has temporarily relocated 890 regular vendors and 152 ambulant vendors. Currently, Unit 1, also known as the Wet Market, which will be renamed B3 under the master plan, houses 450 regular vendors and 350 ambulant vendors.

Also, Unit 3, soon to be renamed B5, accommodates 335 regular vendors and 60 ambulant vendors. Eco said these vendors will be relocated once the construction of the main public market building at the B2 zone, currently known as Warwick Barracks, is completed. By 2025, C2W will have nine operational areas, including the Tourism Zone, while construction of the main public market building continues.

Eco said that by 2026-2027, C2W is expected to complete the main public market building at the B2 zone. Vendors selling flowers and native goods from the Interim Market, fruit vendors from B5, and wet goods vendors from B3—approximately 741 regular vendors and 350 ambulant vendors—will be permanently relocated to the B2 zone. Meanwhile, 873 regular vendors and 1,354 ambulant vendors involved in selling carenderia goods, dry goods, fruits, and vegetables will be relocated to the Interim Market, also known as B4.

C2W will also begin constructing the B2 building for the Wet Market, while B5 will be converted into a multi-story parking facility. By 2028-2029, C2W is expected to complete the B3 and B5 buildings, achieving a 100 percent relocation rate for all 1,829 registered regular vendors and 3,948 ambulant vendors. C2W will also move forward with the construction of a parking building at B6, which includes the relocation of residents from Sitio Lutaw-Lutaw.

By 2030, C2W is expected to complete the redevelopment project, with all areas fully operational and 940 parking slots available for cars and motorcycles. These parking facilities will be essential not only for public market visitors but also for those heading to Cebu City Hall, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, and the downtown area, which currently face a shortage of parking spaces.

Main Public Market Eco said the main public market building will include a delivery bay along Escaño Street, providing a designated drop-off area to reduce unauthorized street parking. She added that vendors will be relocated to prime spots on the lower and upper ground floors of the building. The lower ground floor will be designated for the Wet Public Market, while the upper ground floor will accommodate vendors selling fruits, native goods, and flowers.

Eco said the second to fourth floors will be reserved for mixed-use purposes, primarily as a food hub. These floors will also include elevators. She added that the Carbon Public Market redevelopment aligns with Cebu City’s master plan, including a drainage system designed to handle outflow from the downtown area.

Tourism Zone By 2025, Eco said C2W expects to complete and make operational the Puso Village, Tourism Area, and Mechanical Parking Area. She added that locators from The Barracks will have the option to relocate to Puso Village, which C2W envisions as a tourist destination for both local and foreign visitors. Eco said The Barracks will be converted into an open area park, which was part of the original master plan.

The Barracks was initially constructed as a temporary facility to help C2W recoup its investment after the lot dispute in the Maritima vicinity, which delayed the operation of Puso Village. Under the administration of Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the CPA and City Hall reached a compromise agreement, sidestepping the legalities of their dispute and pending court cases. Eco said this agreement enabled C2W to move forward with refitting works at Puso Village, the Mechanical Parking Area, and Area 3.

Eco said the Puso Village will be an upgraded version of The Barracks, and they aim to open it before the 2025 Sinulog Festival. At Area 3, C2W has built a covered pathway designed to encircle the entire Carbon Public Market. The development also includes a Material Recovery Facility to process waste collected at the public market.

Moreover, C2W has provided livelihood opportunities by employing local residents as maintenance workers for the entire project area..