CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has put a temporary stop to fee collections by the private developer at the Carbon Public Market. On Monday, February 16, 2026, the mayor announced that Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), the City’s partner in Carbon Market redevelopment, cannot collect payments until a specific oversight committee is formed.
Speaking at a press conference, Archival explained that the joint venture agreement (JVA) requires a committee made up of representatives from the Cebu City Government, C2W and the market vendors. However, this group has not been organized yet.
“The fees are paid by the vendors, so it should be clearly stipulated who these people are,” Archival said.
City remains in charge for now
According to the mayor, the rules for forming this committee are still incomplete. The City Council is scheduled to review and approve these provisions during a closed-door executive session on March 17.
Until the committee is formally approved, Archival said the City Government remains the only authority allowed to collect fees at Carbon. He also assured vendors that there will be no increase in their current rental or market fees during this time.
Archival expressed his backing for the council's review of the deal. “This is a legislative matter, so I am supporting it,” he said.
Protest and legal challenges
The council’s decision to review the 2021 agreement follows recent tensions. On February 5, vendor groups held a silent protest, voicing concerns that the redevelopment could displace traders, raise rents, and privatize the market.
On January 16, 2026, former Mayor Tomas Osmeña filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court. He questioned the legality of the deal, describing it as “grossly disadvantageous” to the city.
Multi-billion project
The redevelopment of the Carbon Public Market is a 50-year public-private partnership. It began as a P5.5-billion agreement signed on Jan. 11, 2021, by the late mayor Edgardo Labella and Megawide Construction Corp. C2W, a subsidiary of Megawide, took over the rights to the project on May 27, 2021.
The deal was expanded on July 31, 2022, when then mayor Michael Rama signed a supplemental agreement. This raised the total investment to P8 billion and guaranteed the City an annual share of P50 million, regardless of how much rental income is earned.
While early phases like the Tourism Zone and Sto. Niño Park were completed in late 2024, significant work continues. The main public market building is targeted for completion in December 2026. This phase prioritizes the relocation of vendors selling flowers, native goods, and wet market products.
Looking further ahead, additional blocks and a multi-story parking facility are projected to be finished between 2028 and 2030.
Despite the changes, C2W maintains a “no vendor left behind” policy. Under the 2017 Market Code, rental rates for registered vendors will remain at P8.50 per square meter until 2028. For now, the City retains ownership of the land and regulatory authority while the council prepares for its March review. / EHP