Veteran broadcast journalist Ces Oreña Drilon was impressed with the partnership between SM and the Iloilo City government in the redevelopment of the city’s Terminal Market and Central Market, calling it a strong example of how collaboration between the private sector and local government can deliver meaningful results for communities.

In a video interview uploaded by Iloilo Today Blog on TikTok, Ces said this after visiting the newly redeveloped public markets: “I really want to salute the partnership of SM and Iloilo City, the LGU. It’s, I think, a forerunner of what the government and the private sector can do together.”

Ces expressed admiration for the transformation and the overall cleanliness and organization of the facilities, noting that these reflect both political will and the strategic use of private sector capital to improve public spaces.

She said, “With the political will…(and) you’re using the capital of the private sector to make things beautiful without destroying the culture, without harming, in fact, elevating it pa, because it’s opening up, it’s opening more doors for people to see.”

She added that the redevelopment enhances and elevates the markets by improving the overall experience for visitors and vendors alike.

The veteran broadcast journalist further said that the Iloilo City government’s initiative serves as an example for other local governments on how to properly implement a public-private partnership agreement.

“Minsan, you will be hesitant to go to a market kasi maamoy, madumi, pero here, it opens—this project really shows other LGUs how to do it,” she said.

The Iloilo City Government entered into a 25-year lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings, which invested approximately P3 billion for the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market to modernize the facilities, transforming them into clean, safe, and efficient commercial hubs.

The redeveloped markets now house around 2,000 stalls, providing improved facilities for vendors and a more comfortable and organized shopping experience for consumers.

The Iloilo Central Public Market operates from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the Iloilo Terminal Public Market is open from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The market redevelopment aligns with the local government’s “My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” campaign, which aims to showcase the city’s unique heritage and culture while fostering a strong emotional connection between residents and their city.