Archival denies reneging on deal with Carbon vendors

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has denied claims that he abandoned vendors of Carbon Public Market, saying he remains a “mayor for all.”

The mayor issued the statement after more than a hundred vendors held a rally at the city’s oldest public market, accusing him of failing to honor a 2025 covenant to protect their welfare amid the Megawide joint venture.

In an interview, Archival said it was unfair to accuse him of reneging on the agreement. He stressed that his presence at recent meetings with vendors was meant to clarify issues rather than disregard their concerns.

“Wala rakoy totol. Pero naay uban niingon nga naa koy gi-sign nga covenant nga wala daw namo tumana, that’s unfair,” he said. “Pero sige lang, mao man ilang tan-aw.”

Archival said he joined meetings with vendors to discuss issues such as vendor segregation and temporary shedding arrangements during the redevelopment, and to clarify what had been approved during deliberations at the City Council.

He recalled that when provisions related to the project were taken up, only four councilors raised questions on certain items, before the body proceeded to a vote.

“There was a votation,” Archival said. “Karon nga mayor na ko, mayor ko sa vendors, mayor ko sa mga negosyante, ug mayor ko sa tibuok syudad sa Sugbo.”

The mayor said his position now requires him to implement what is in accordance with existing laws and approved measures, even if these remain contentious among affected sectors.

“Kung unsay naa sa balaod, ato gyud na tumanon,” he said. “Lisod man pud muingon ko nga supak ko ani o ana kay akoy ma-question, mayor man ko.”

Archival said vendor groups have formally raised their concerns with the Office of the Vice Mayor, including a call to review the joint venture agreement (JVA) governing the Carbon redevelopment.

“Gusto nila ma-review ang JVA. Definitely, i-review na nato,” he said. “Let’s see unsay mugawas ana.”

He clarified, however, that the review process would be handled through proper channels and that his role would be to listen to complaints and assess what actions, if any, could be taken.

“Sila moy mo-review sa JVA,” Archival said. “Ako, maminaw ko sa ilang reklamo unya tan-awon unsay pwede mabuhat.”

Archival emphasized that while protests and opposition are part of a democratic system, decisions approved by the majority cannot simply be set aside.

“In government democracy, kung unsay nabotohan sa kadaghanan, mao nay ipatuman,” he said.

Despite this, Archival said he reassured vendors that their concerns would not be ignored, noting his own background as a farmer and vendor.

“Being a vendor and farmer myself, naa ko nila,” he said. “Ang ako lang gyud, balanse ang pagtan-aw sa sitwasyon.”

Vendor groups have continued to oppose the redevelopment, arguing that it effectively privatizes a public market and threatens the livelihood of small-scale sellers.

They have also questioned the JVA’s long-term impact on stall rentals and vendor security.

Archival, however, said his administration would continue to hear all sides while remaining bound by the law.(TGP)