THE Cebu City Council on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, passed the comprehensive revision of the City’s zoning ordinance after nearly three decades, leaving some Carbon Public Market vendors feeling betrayed and disappointed.
Ordinance 2784, authored by outgoing Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, passed its third and final reading as many Carbon vendors and stakeholders watched from the session hall. The group immediately left after the approval.
The revised ordinance modernizes urban development rules and addresses critical issues like flooding and environmental protection. It replaces outdated 1996 regulations and aligns zoning codes with the City’s updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup) for 2023-2032. Earlier, outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia suggested it would be better for the current council to approve the plan, noting the incoming councilors will be new to their roles.
The ordinance was passed five days before Mayor-elect Nestor Archival and a new set of councilors are set to assume office on June 30. Garcia still has to sign the ordinance before it can be implemented.
A super majority of the councilors voted in favor of the proposed ordinance, except Archival who was not around during the voting. They are Jocelyn Pesquera, James Anthony Cuenco, Phillip Zafra, Joy Augustus Young, Jose Abellanosa, Pastor Alcover Jr., Mary Ann de los Santos, Joel Garganera, Rey Gealon, Jerry Guardo, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II, Renato Osmeña Jr., Noel Wenceslao, Franklyn Ong, Rhea Mae Jakosalem and Pancrasio Esparis.
Vendors, Bimbo disappointed
The decision left vendors disappointed and frustrated with Archival, who was reportedly expected to push for a deferment but left the session before the deliberations.
Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, head of the Urban Poor Alliance and a known ally of Archival’s party, Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, called the council’s approval a betrayal of the Carbon community.
“Ang mga tao lang, all they’re asking for is to give us some time to review this ordinance para ma-discuss nato ni (The people, all they’re asking for is to give us some time to review this ordinance so we can discuss it),” he said.
Fernandez clarified vendors weren’t seeking disapproval but wanted more
discussion opportunities.
“Karon, ilang gi-approve. So, naguol ko sa tanan nga councilors for doing that (Now, they approved it. So, I’m saddened by all the councilors for doing that),” he said.
The vendors’ main objection centers on Carbon Public Market’s reclassification from “institutional” to “commercial” zoning. They fear this change will allow private developments like malls and hotels, eroding Carbon’s role as a heritage zone and market for the poor.
Carbon vendors have consistently requested institutional zoning to protect the market’s heritage and prevent privatization.
Pesquera maintained that discussions with Carbon vendors and urban poor had already occurred.
“So far, in the discussions, nakasabot man sila. And then, ang akoa sad gyud, it’s a lot better that we move forward (So far, in the discussions, they understood. And then, for me, it’s a lot better that we move forward),” she said.
She argued most public markets in the city already have commercial zoning.
“What’s the difference between Carbon and even with our smaller markets, which are already considered commercial? Such as the one in Poblacion Pardo, Labangon, Inayawan?” she asked.
Pesquera said the 1996 ordinance already classified Carbon as commercial, not institutional. However, vendors argue formalizing this classification undermines the market’s heritage and public role.
Criticizing BOPK silence
Fernandez criticized BOPK councilors for their silence during deliberations.
“Bisag objection na lang gamay, bisag question na lang, wala (Even just a small objection, even just a question, there was nothing),”
he said.
Fernandez was disappointed with Archival, who attended the session before deliberations but left after privilege speeches and tributes to outgoing councilors. Archival had reportedly requested Pesquera on Tuesday to defer the ordinance.
“He was not even here to request for deferment. So, I am terribly disappointed,” he said.
“At least, we know now, that we have been betrayed by the council, especially by Nestor Archival and the BOPK councilors,” he added. He also accused Vice Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña of betrayal for remaining silent despite reportedly pledging support.
Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, a BOPK member, defended Archival’s absence, citing his “very tight and very hectic” schedule.
“I think he has an equally important matter that he was attending to,” she said.
New provisions
The revised ordinance includes several flood control and environmental protection measures:
No-build zones and expanded easements near rivers
Restrictions and building criteria in hazard overlay zones
Special management districts for critical resources
Flood-resilient building design requirements
Environmental standards including riparian strip preservation
Mandatory drainage impact assessments and environmental compliance
The ordinance also resolves confusion over land uses, particularly commercial activities within residential zones, and implements stricter regulations including height limits for barangay facilities.
Despite assurances from de los Santos that “any ordinance can be amended” and is “a dynamic thing,” vendors expressed disappointment.
Vendors Joanne and Brenda, whose real names were withheld, shared their frustration. Brenda said, “Wala nay lami maninda. Unsa man buhaton nato ani, mag rally na pud (There’s no more meaning in selling. What will we do now, rally again)?”
Ann Marie Ariosa, president of Carbon-hanong Alyansa Alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ugma sa mga Nanginabuhi, said they had trusted Archival’s promise.
“Nalipay mi nga niingon si Mayor [Archival] yesterday na iyang hangyuon si Councilor Pesquera to defer. But, then, karon dili man mao ang nahitabo sa City Council (We were happy that Mayor Archival said yesterday that he would ask Councilor Pesquera to defer. But what happened in the City Council today was not what we hoped for),” she said.
The current CLUP received endorsement from the Central Visayas Regional Land Use Committee last Dec. 10.
Pesquera doubted Garcia would veto the ordinance, noting his party’s unanimous support. / JPS WITH REPORTS FROM ASHLEY JUDD ALON, UV INTERN, AND JAIRUS AMORA, HNU INTERN