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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Baguio to revisit market plans after SM project withdrawal

Baguio to revisit market plans after SM project withdrawal

Published Jan 5, 2026 09:32 pm
BAGUIO City Public Market (FB)
BAGUIO City Public Market (FB)
BAGUIO CITY – The city government must resolve long-standing issues over the Baguio public market after SM Prime Holdings withdrew its unsolicited proposal to redevelop the more than three-hectare property, officials said Monday.
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan said the city needs to settle problems like property boundaries and occupant rights before any development can proceed.
“It is unfortunate that we are back to square one. This is the second time we dreamed of improving the public market but did not materialize,” Olowan said in a media interview.
In a Dec. 19 letter, SMPH cited unresolved matters among the city's executive and legislative branches, market vendors, and other stakeholders as the reason for withdrawing its 2020 proposal. The plan involved building, operating, and managing the market for 50 years, requiring the temporary relocation of about 4,000 vendors.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he was informed of the decision in a letter sent to his office and posted on Jan. 3 in the official social media page of the Baguio City Public Information Office.
Olowan said the council will continue discussions as it awaits formal communication of the withdrawal.
Former councilor Mylen Yaranon, part of an opposition group, said they will continue protests and urged revisiting past studies and plans that prioritize preserving historic market sections. 
The plan began in 2020 when the city awarded the project to SM Prime Holdings following the submission of an unsolicited proposal.
The P5.4-billion plan involves the construction of a seven-story public market building and a parking facility with space for about 1,900 vehicles.

Related Tags

Baguio City Baguio City Public Market SM SM Prime Holdings Mayor Benjamin Magalong
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