Legal moves are anticipated for the City Council.
On the heels of the withdrawal of SM Prime Holdings Incorporated on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal for the Baguio market redevelopment, stakeholders are asking the Baguio City Council to take action.
The opposition, Save Baguio Market Movement, in a statement said “This historic victory belongs to the people of Baguio. We have shown that we are not helpless. However, our work is not yet done. The people gained this victory by organizing together, researching and discussing collectively, voicing dissent, engaging with local government, and holding our elected officials to high standards.”
The statement urged the Baguio City Council to formally accept SM’s withdrawal in writing, and/or to categorically reject the proposal with a NO before January 9, 2026, “The public is aware that if the City Council as the Approving Body fails to provide a decision in writing within the prescribed period, the PPP project will be considered approved and we ask that the Councilors revisit and rescind City Resolution 399 s. 2020 selecting PPP as the modality for the redevelopment of the public market.”
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan in a public statement said “We appreciate the efforts and participation of all parties involved in exploring possibilities for the public market’s enhancement.”
The vice mayor likewise affirmed commitment to pursue initiatives for the welfare of the people as well as the development of the City Public Market, aligned with the needs and aspirations of our Baguio community, and in adherence to the “Baguio First” policy doctrine and Vendors’ Bill of Rights.
Olowan also made public on January 4, the formal letter of SM Prime Holdings Incorporated signed by Helene D. Go, Vice President – Legal and Authorized Representative addressed to Baguio Mayor Benjamin Bañez Magalong, it was however, dated 19 December 2025.
No receiving stamp was indicated in the letter Olowan published in his social media account.
Go said the SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has officially decided not to proceed with the redevelopment and is withdrawing from the project circumstances surrounding the project, citing the City of Baguio, its executive and legislative branches, the market vendors and stakeholders having “several matters to settle” before such a project can be undertaken.
The one-page letter assured that while withdrawing from this specific project it remains a “steadfast supporter” of the City of Baguio and expressed a willingness to offer future assistance to the city to help further its development and other objectives.
The Save Baguio Market Movement said the SM proposal is not a missed opportunity but “It was a proposal riddled with disadvantages for market vendors, consumers, MSMEs, local businesses, and smallholder suppliers such as farmers and fisherfolk, better options exist and now lie before us. We reiterate our call for people-led, people-centered, and publicly-funded redevelopment of our marketplace. We do not have to start from scratch. The people of Baguio are capable of bringing about a clean, accessible, and organized public market. We are prepared to support the local government in this endeavor.” – Maria Elena Catajan