There is no letup in the market protest.
Hundreds of vendors, residents, and concerned citizens converged at Malcolm Square, November 26, in protest against the redevelopment of the public market under the SM Market Public-Private Partnership (PPP) deal.
The six-hour rally kicked off at 1:00 PM with a talkback session. Atty. Zosimo Abratique of the Baguio Market Vendors Association (BAMARVA) giving the history of the public market and detailed the opposition to the planned PPP under SM.
Abratique stressed the anticipated detrimental effects of the SM PPP market deal on small-scale vendors, citing fears of displacement and rising costs that would ultimately burden local consumers and compromise the city’s distinct cultural and economic character.
A signature campaign has also been launched, with the first batch garnering over 20,000 signatures. The petition was officially submitted to the City Council in a bid to stop the project.
A noise barrage followed at 3:00 PM, with more sentiments accommodated from stakeholders, followed by performances from the creative sector.
Today, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) deal for the Baguio City Public Market redevelopment is on a 120-day review by the City Council, following its successful negotiation and endorsement by the City Development Council (CDC). The review ends on January 10, 2026.
During that time frame, the City Council needs to vote on whether the city will accept the proposal, reject it with amendments, or reject the entire deal.
The current proposal is from SM Prime Holdings Inc., which holds the project’s original proponent status (OPS). The plan includes a commercial mall area, a city-owned, four-level public market, and Cordilleran-inspired architecture and improved amenities. — Maria Elena Catajan
