CEBU CITY’S PREMIER MARKET TO UNDERGO MAJOR FACELIFT
CEBU CITY—The oldest and largest farmer’s market in this city will undergo transformation that would rival the best flea markets in the world.
According to Louie Ferrer, managing director of Megawide Construction Corp., they will redevelop the Carbon Public Market in downtown Cebu City into a commercial, heritage and cultural district with a multimodal and integrated transport hub.
Megawide is part of the consortium that operates the Mactan Cebu International Airport, which has been recognized by several international aviation bodies for its outstanding architectural design and word-class standard of service.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Carbon Market will be held in March 2021 and the construction is expected to be done by 2024.
The existing Carbon Market is located near the city’s harbor and is known for its cheap buys ranging from fish and meat to vegetables and fruits. But like other old public markets in the country, Carbon is often seen for its sanitary problems and chaotic bargains.
Ferrer promised to improve Carbon’s sanitation without increasing the costs of goods sold in the market
“All existing vendors will also be accommodated in the new facility,” he said.
Megawide had entered into a joint venture agreement with the city for a phased redevelopment of the 7.8-hectare Carbon Market in the amount of P5.5-billion.
‘Puso’ design
Ferrer said the future Carbon Market will draw tourists like those in Thailand, Vietnam, the United States and Europe, among other countries.
He said there would be a ferry terminal, which would shuttle tourists to and from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport via the Cebu Yacht Club.
Most of the historical buildings near Carbon Market, he said, will also be incorporated into the development plan.
The new Carbon Market will be highlighted with Cebu’s famous puso (hanging rice) design in its main facade. It will also feature a park and a chapel of the Santo Niño.
Ferrer assured Cebuanos that the prices of the commodities in the new Carbon Market will be the same, as well as the rentals for the stalls.
Once construction starts, the vendors will be transferred to a temporary facility, which will also be constructed by Megawide.
“There will be no disruption of the business activities in Carbon (while construction is done),” Ferrer said.