Groups slam Archival over Carbon Market’s reclassification

Local

VENDORS and civil society leaders slammed what they described as a “betrayal” by Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr.

They are questioning his backing of a zoning ordinance that reclassifies Carbon Market from institutional to commercial, which, they say, threatens their livelihood and violates previous commitments made to them.

In a joint press conference on Tuesday, June 24, leaders from the Carbon Vendors Development Cooperative (CEMVEDCO), Carbonhanon, CCUVA, and other groups demanded the deferment of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance (CLUP/ZO), which they said was passed without proper consultation.

“We ask Mayor-elect Nestor Archival whether he realizes that this is a betrayal of the covenants he made with the urban poor and the vendors,” said Bimbo Fernandez of Pagtambayayong in a joint public statement.

“We lament that this early, even before they have assumed office, betrayals have become an issue,” he added.

The groups claimed the CLUP/ZO reclassifies the Carbon Market, a heritage and economic landmark, from an institutional area to commercial, paving the way for full privatization.

They said such a shift contradicts past assurances from Archival that the market would remain publicly owned and operated for the benefit of vendors and ordinary citizens.

“If Carbon is excluded, put that in writing,” said Ann Ariosa of Carbonhanon. “We were not informed about the June 11 public hearing. We only found out through the newspaper. Other civil society organizations didn’t know either.”

Vendors said they only received a response after they submitted a position paper, which led to a meeting with the City Council on June 16.

Ariosa added that Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera and city planning officials were present and explained that the Carbon area had already been designated as commercial.

According to her, Pesquera cited Archival as one of the proponents pushing for the zoning ordinance’s approval.

Erwin Goc-ong, chairperson of Cebu Market Vendors Multipurpose Cooperative (CEMVEDCO), challenged the claim that Carbon Market was already classified as commercial.

“If it was truly commercial, then why did [the private contractor] apply for a zoning variance in 2024 to convert it from institutional to commercial?” he asked.

“Even Councilor Pesquera admitted during the public hearing that the ordinance says one thing while the zoning map shows another,” he added.

Goc-ong warned that the new classification may turn vendors into mere “tenants” in a private enterprise, instead of recognized stakeholders in a public market.

Despite the outrage, some leaders said they were still giving Archival the benefit of the doubt, hoping he may have overlooked the consequences of his position.

“This is not yet betrayal. It is a question. If this was truly his intent despite the impact, then it would be betrayal. But if he was misinformed or misled, then it remains a question,” Goc-ong said.

Council records show that during the June 11 session, the City Council initially agreed to defer the approval. However, the ordinance unexpectedly proceeded to second reading, with the third and final reading scheduled for Wednesday, June 25.

In a separate interview, Archival defended his stance, explaining that the CLUP has been in development for over three years and is vital for guiding infrastructure and development projects in Cebu City.

“Daghan kaayong mawa nato kung walay CLUP. Tanang projects nato pulos variance. We need this as our planning framework,” Archival said.

On the issue of Carbon Market’s classification, Archival clarified that the reclassification was already approved by the previous council under the joint venture with Megawide.

He said he had always expressed that Carbon should not be sold and remained committed to keeping it as a public space.

“Pag-approve sa joint venture, ni-go gyud ko nga dili nato i-change from institutional to commercial, but it was already approved by the council. If I become mayor, that won’t happen. I don’t want Carbon sold,” he said.

Reacting to Fernandez’s statement that pushing the zoning ordinance is a “betrayal,” Archival pushed back.

“Unsa may akong gi-betray? I’ve always stood for the people. If needed, I will ask Joy [Pesquera] to withdraw it. I don’t want constant complaints,” he said.(TGP)