Months before the target completion of the Iloilo Central Market redevelopment, the vendors are already excited thinking about their return inside the cleaner, safer, and more beautiful market.
Tienda Mayor or the central market, along with the Iloilo Terminal Market popularly known as “Super”, are the two biggest markets in the metro currently undergoing a major facelift through a public-private partnership between the Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings.
54 year old Mary Ann Pedrosa, owner of the Mary Ann Herbal Store expressed enthusiasm for the soon-to-be-completed central market.
“Excited gid ya kami. Ginapanan-aw ko na ang mangin sistema sa sulod, organisado kag maplastar kami sang maayo,”( We are really excited I am imagining the system inside to be organized and we will be situated well) said Pedrosa.
Having been a vendor at the Central Market for over 10 years already, Pedrosa’s kiosk was located near the main entrance of the market. She recounted that the old market’s conditions were challenging, particularly during rainfall. The leaking roofs and clogged drains led to wet and muddy floors, creating an uncomfortable environment for everyone.
However, with the new central market, such concern will become a thing of the past.
She added that the new structure’s stability and safety features ensure a worry-free experience for vendors and shoppers alike. Pedrosa believes having a modern market will even create an impression, especially on the visitors or tourists.
“Kon magnami na ang merkado, indi na ta mahuya especially kon may mga bisita. Kon magpuli sila sa ila lugar, mahambal gid na sila to nga ‘ay kanami sang merkado sang Iloilo’,”( If the marketss wwill be beautified, we will not be ashamed especially if there are visitors. When they come back to their hometown, they will really say that the (Central) market of Iloilo is really nice), she added.
Pedrosa also looks forward to the new market paving the way for the growth of their businesses because it will undoubtedly become one of the city’s tourist destinations.
She emphasized that believing in this redevelopment effort bringing greater good is also the reason why she supported the market’s redevelopment.
“Nagapasalamat gid kami kay Mayor [Jerry] Treńas and SM for looking after our welfare and development.” she added.
Meanwhile, flower vendors Mary Grace Gabrido, 57 of Margie’s Flower Shop and Cyril Tacusalme, 47 of Penang’s Flower Shop also expressed the same excitement.
Turning the heads of almost every marketgoer and serving as a welcome attraction of the market, most flower vendors flock near the main entrance.
“Siempre excited gid eh para makita amon pwesto. Mayo man kay kon makabalik kami, mas maayo ang plastar namon, safe kag comfortable na kami,”(Of course we are excited to see where we will be situated. It is really good because when we are already back, we will be situated well, safe and confortable, said Gabrido, who has been a central market vendor for around 30 years.
Gabrido shared that she has been supportive of the market redevelopments, understanding that it is for the good of the vendors, marketgoers, and the city as a whole.
Tacusalme, on the other hand, has been selling flowers for more than 20 years already. Though the sales were good then, their old post was a cramped space which could be detrimental to the quality of the flowers they sell.
But looking forward, she expressed, “Excited gid for the new market kay nami, komportable, matahom kag mas pag-on na. Madamu ang maganyat nga magkadto,”(Very excited for the new market because it will be nicer, comfortable, beautiful and sturdier. Many people will be enticed to visit).
