The announcement of further delays in the reopening of the Jaro, La Paz, and Arevalo district markets in Iloilo City is both a disappointment and a necessity.
City Engineer’s Office Architect Regina Gregorios cited safety concerns and unfinished construction as primary reasons, with vendors now facing a prolonged wait until at least late 2025 or early 2026.
Mayor Jerry Treñas initially promised a December 2024 reopening, generating excitement among vendors and residents. However, that projection, tied to a hefty loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines, now seems overly optimistic, if not politically motivated.
It’s hard not to consider the mayor’s promise in the context of his political strategies. Back in May, when Treñas announced the December reopening, it seemed to align with the early stages of election preparations. Whether intentional or not, the promise may have been part of a campaign strategy to gain public favor, especially given his so-called political arrangements with rivals. Such promises, while well-intentioned, need to be realistic to avoid public disappointment.
Safety, however, must come first. Moving vendors into markets still under construction could pose significant risks. Slips, falls, and other accidents could be inevitable in unfinished structures, potentially creating more problems than solutions. Architect Gregorios was right to insist on completing the necessary works before transferring vendors.
The delays also highlight the challenges of managing large-scale infrastructure projects, especially those funded by loans running into hundreds of millions of pesos.
The markets remain unfinished, with projected reopening dates now stretching into late 2025 or early 2026, prolonging the vendors’ plight.
Balancing ambitious timelines with quality and safety remains a delicate act, and in this case, the scales have tipped toward caution.
The vendors will have to wait a little bit more.
As the markets inch closer to completion, accountability and transparency are essential. The City Engineer’s Office and the contractors must provide detailed updates to assure the public and vendors that progress, albeit slow, is ongoing.
In the end, while the delays are necessary for safety, they also serve as a cautionary tale about overpromising. The vendors and the public deserve realistic timelines—not just optimistic campaign slogans. Let this be a lesson for all stakeholders: progress is better achieved steadily than hurriedly.
