CEBU CITY (Nov. 15, 2023) – The City earned at least P103.6 million from 10 public markets and associated collections as of the third quarter this year.

Such earnings from January to September already surpassed that of the same period last year, according to the Office of the City Markets (OCM).

OCM deputy for operations Arnel Quijano. | 📷 PPRMN / cte

OCM collected at least P102.5 million in 2022, said Arnel Quijano, the assistant market administrator for operations, pointing out it recorded an increase of P1,075,200.88.

Majority of the earnings are attributed to market rentals and penalities from violators of the city’s Market Code.

“So mao na ang nakita nato nga maabot gyud ang atong possible target within this year,” Quijano said during OCM’s “Bantay Merkado” teleradyo program aired on the Sugboanon Channel today.

Of the city’s 10 markets, the Carbon Public Market’s Units 1, 2 and 3 earned a combined P31.2 million from January to September. 

Carbon’s Unit 1 sells meat and fish; Unit 2 or the Interim Market sells general merchandise, and Unit 3 sells fruits and vegetables. 

The Carbon Public Market has at least 3,139 registered vendors. 

Market officials led by OCM administrator Robert Barquilla (in green) inspect the Pasil Fish Market in October this year. 📷 PIO / Allan Defensor

Next to the Carbon Public Market is the Pasil Fish Market which earned P23 million, Quijano disclosed. 

He said most of the collections from the Pasil Fish Market are from its old Bagsakan at the South Road Properties. 

Other markets also reported their earnings such as the Poblacion Pardo Market (P4 million), Ramos Public Market (P3 million), T. Padilla Public Market (P2.3 million), Taboan Public Market (P10.8 million), Freedom Park (P6 million) and Warwick Barracks (P4.4 million).

Bantay Merkado. OCM deputy operations head Arnel Quijano (left) provides the latest updates during his office’s teleradyo program aired on the Sugboanon Channel. With Quijano are co-host Roxanne O. Cabuenas (center) and John Paul Amores (right). 📷 PPRMN / cte

The OCM also earned from other ventures outside their usual market collections such as fees from pay parking (P6.8 million), cash tickets (P10.9 million), available spaces (P106,130), penalties from market violations (P487,810), and other miscellaneous fees (P277,681).

Quijano said their collection from market violations is due to penalties they charge to violators of the city’s Market Code. 

More earnings expected

Quijano said he expects that the City could earn more from its markets by next year especially that OCM has initiated a public-private partnership (PPP) to repair and redevelop the Poblacion Public Market.

Market administrator Robert Barquilla sought the help of Engr. Rodesson Yu, a businessman, to help in repairing Pardo’s market.

Repairs being done at the Poblacion Pardo Market. 📷 Robert Barquilla

Barquilla personally knew Yu as members of the Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre. 

Once the Pardo Market’s repairs are completed, more people will be interested to apply for a lease to sell there, Quijano said.

“Manghinaot ta nga sa umaabot, basin ra nga dako kaayo nang matabang sa income sa atong merkado,” he added.| PPRMN / jkv

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