Baguio sets deadline to finalize public market redev’t plan

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City government has given itself 120 days, or until Jan. 12 next year, to finalize the bidding process for the redevelopment of the Baguio City Public Market and gather inputs from residents, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Councilor Paolo Salvosa, who chairs the committee on laws, said the city council would conduct public consultations and information drives to help citizens understand the need for a public-private partnership (PPP) instead of a fully city-funded project.
“The city council is given 120 days to review, conduct public consultations with stakeholders, residents, the market goers, the market vendors, the leaders in the community, listen to all of them on their views of what the market should look like,” Salvosa said in a media interview on Thursday.
“We want the people to see how much a billion-peso construction will cost the city if done on its own and how it could affect other priority projects.”
The city, which currently operates on a PHP3.6 billion budget, aims to ensure that the redevelopment aligns with Baguio’s heritage.
About 3,555 vendors are expected to take part in consultations, alongside an online campaign for wider public engagement.
SM Prime Holdings has submitted an unsolicited proposal for the project, which will undergo a 120-day review before a possible “Swiss challenge,” allowing other developers like Robinsons Corp. to present counterproposals.
Salvosa assured that market lessees will not be displaced and will be given temporary spaces during construction, which is expected to begin by early 2027. **Liza Agoot