CEBU CITY Mayor-elect Nestor Archival defended the City Council’s passage of a revised comprehensive zoning ordinance on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, saying it was not solely about the Carbon Public Market redevelopment but was for the city’s overall land use improvement and efficiency.
Archival said there was no betrayal of the vendors’ trust. Vendors had feared the measure would hasten the privatization of the public market, leading to their displacement.
Five Carbon Public Market vendors’ associations, in a statement Thursday, June 26, expressed dismay over the council’s approval of the legislative measure. The groups had previously requested a deferral of its passage.
They believe the decision prioritizes business interests over the market’s heritage and their livelihoods.
The vendors’ group lamented the “silence” of several councilors, particularly from the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) party, to speak up about their concerns over the approved ordinance.
Archival, an outgoing city councilor, was seen leaving the session hall before deliberation of the revised zoning ordinance, in front of a jam-packed attendance of vendors.
One of the provisions of the ordinance, which passed its third and final reading Wednesday, effectively reclassified the Carbon Public Market from institutional to commercial land use, according to a joint statement from the Cebu City United Vendors Association, Cebu Market Vendors Multipurpose Cooperative, Carbonhanong Alyansa alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ogma sa mga Nanginabuhi or Carbon, and the Units 1, 2 and 3 Stallowners Association.
Significance
Archival, in an interview after his oath-taking ceremony, explained that the council unanimously approved the Revised Comprehensive Cebu City Zoning Ordinance of 2025, as the previous version had not been updated in more than 29 years.
The incoming mayor did not directly answer questions regarding his absence during the ordinance’s deliberation. He recalled his support for the vendors but recognized the importance of passing the measure.
He underscored the significance of passing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup) and its integration into the revised zoning ordinance in securing development funding and national grants.
The Clup was approved a long time ago, but it was only this year that it was incorporated into the comprehensive revised zoning ordinance, Archival said.
Archival said he even asked Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, the ordinance’s author, to defer consideration. Still, he stressed that it would be wasteful to stall a “good” ordinance.
No votes to halt approval
Even had he raised an objection Wednesday, he and his three allies on the council lacked the votes to halt approval. The three were Councilors Joy Augustus Young, Jose Abellanosa and Mary Ann de los Santos.
Young, Abellanosa and de los Santos voted in favor of the measure, along with Jocelyn Pesquera, James Anthony Cuenco, Phillip Zafra, Pastor Alcover Jr., Joel Garganera, Rey Gealon, Jerry Guardo, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II, Renato Osmeña Jr., Noel Wenceslao, Franklyn Ong, Rhea Mae Jakosalem and Pancrasio Esparis.
If it was not passed, the upcoming City Council would have to start from scratch to pass a new comprehensive revised zoning ordinance, putting to waste years of work by the outgoing council, according to Archival.
The incoming mayor added that the outdated 1996 regulations and zoning codes have affected the city’s improvement initiatives, such as housing projects, investments, business opportunities, and even grants, due to the lack of an updated Clup.
This resulted in an additional burden for investors to apply for a variance on a lot that was classified as residential but, in reality, should be declared commercial, Archival said.
He said if outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia signs the passed ordinance, it has a provision to create an oversight committee. This will be the venue for vendors to raise their pleas, such as requesting more time for review.
Archival said the land classification of the Carbon Public Market is only one aspect of the Clup.
He added that his running mate, Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña, can also review the ordinance, but he said the issue is premature.
Archival recalled his unwavering support for the Carbon Market vendors, starting from the proposal for its renovation, despite the overwhelming numbers in the council who were against those in favor.
Urgent need
Meanwhile, Councilor Noel Wenceslao stressed the urgency of passing the ordinance.
He explained that land use and development have changed over the years, but the city’s zoning codes remain outdated.
An example was the agricultural classification for Barangay Talamban in the old zoning code, which does not reflect the actual land use. The new ordinance reclassifies a part of that land for residential and commercial areas.
The Clup was approved in 2006, but it was only this year that it was incorporated in the revised zoning ordinance, he added.
Vendors’ response
In a joint statement, the vendors said, “We are not against progress; we only wish to be part of it.” They had only requested a deferment for deeper consultation and review.
However, the reclassification of the Carbon Market aligns with the previous administration’s actions. These actions include signing a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Megawide in 2021, amending the Cebu City Market Code to conform with the JVA, and passing a resolution that allowed Cebu2World Development Inc. to apply for a variance to reclassify land in Warwick Barracks from Institutional 2 to Commercial 2.
This facilitated the construction of Phase 1B, encompassing the Barracks and the main public market.
“This is not just about land use. This is about people’s lives, it is about heritage, dignity, and community,” the group said in a statement. “We cannot deny that the passage of this ordinance feels heavy for many of us whose lives are deeply rooted in Carbon.”
Despite this, the groups remain hopeful, recalling a June 12 forum where they signed a covenant with Archival, Osmeña and several BOPK councilors.
This covenant affirms a shared commitment to a three-point agenda:
Declare Carbon as a Cultural and Heritage Zone.
Pass an ordinance that protects the livelihood of all vendors.
Review the Joint Venture Agreement and make the process transparent.
“We are confident that under the new administration, there will be space for genuine dialogue, fair solutions, and inclusive governance, as we look up to them as strong allies of our advocacy,” the group said. / EHP