Megawide groundbreaking moved to Wednesday
At least 100 vendors and stakeholders of the Carbon Public Market in Cebu City hold a rally in front of the Cebu City Hall on Monday, March 1, 2021. The groundbreaking for the modernization of the city’s largest wet market which was scheduled today, March 23, was moved yet again. CDN Digital photo | Morexette Marie B. Erram
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The groundbreaking of the much-disputed Carbon modernization program was once again postponed due to conflicts between developer giant, Megawide Construction Corp., and the Carbon Market vendors.
The groundbreaking was scheduled for 2 p.m. today, March 23, 2021, but the vendors appealed that the groundbreaking does not take place unless the negotiations will continue.
City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr., told CDN Digital that Megawide, the vendors, and the city government have agreed in a resolution today that even if the groundbreaking proceeds, the negotiations will continue afterward.
Casas said that Mayor Edgardo Labella has led the meeting between the stakeholders and all agreed to let the groundbreaking continue tomorrow, March 24, 2021, with the guarantee that the vendors can continue to raise their concerns on the management of the new market and the rentals for it.
Market Operations Division (MOD) head, Irvin Cabales, said that the vendors agreed to sign a resolution that would ensure their support for the groundbreaking.
“Na-okay na ang mga vendors. Naa nalay gamay nga issues nga dapat pang husayon, pero okay na, madayon na ugma,” said Cabales.
Maria Pino, president of the Cebu City United Vendors Association Inc. (CCUVA), said that they have agreed to the groundbreaking because they now understand that it is only a ceremony.
“Amo na ning gipasabot sa among mga kauban nga seremonya raman nang groundbreaking. Padayon gihapon tukion ang among mga gisal-ot nga issues,” said Pino in a phone interview.
The vendor groups cannot assure that there will be no protests made by some of its members, but they are encouraging the members to support the groundbreaking as it will signify the continuous talks with Megawide.
Pino said they trust the government will keep their word in maintaining the negotiations open so that the modernized Carbon Market will benefit all stakeholders. /rcg
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