SM Prime and Iloilo City Partner to Revitalize Public Markets as Cultural Landmarks

From left: SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu speak with a vendor as guests look on.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, marked the opening of the newly redeveloped Iloilo Central Market and Terminal Market, two of the city’s largest and most historic public spaces.

The redevelopment is a landmark public-private partnership (PPP) signed in August 2022. With a total gross floor area of over 62,000 square meters, it broke ground in 2023, with nearly P3 billion invested to transform Iloilo City’s iconic markets into modern, efficient and inclusive centers of local enterprise.

The project was completed at no cost to the city and is managed by the Local Economic Enterprise Office to preserve the public character of the markets. This collaboration reflects SM’s Bold New Era — a commitment to creating spaces that evolve with communities, always All For You.

“This day marks an important milestone in the history of Iloilo City, a new beginning for our vendors and shoppers. Everything is organized, clean, bright and well-ventilated,” said Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu during the opening ceremony. 

Iloilo, named the Philippines’ first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2023, is renowned for its culinary heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. The modernization of its public markets bridges tradition and innovation, ensuring that Ilonggo food culture and small enterprises can continue to grow and bring people together.

SM Iloilo Terminal Market (SITM) includes a lifestyle center that has a gross floor area of almost 20,000 square meters, which houses 58 long-term leasable spaces. Meanwhile, SITM’s market section has expanded to house 1,160 vendors from its previous 911 vendors.

“Before, the old market’s condition was really difficult for us. When it rained, everything got wet, and our regular customers found it inconvenient,” said Jedda Navales, a native coffee vendor at the SITM. “Now, with the new Iloilo Terminal Market, we’re finally leveling up.”

On the other hand, SM Iloilo Central Market (SICM)’s community space expands to more than 17,000 square meters of gross floor area that blends heritage and contemporary design highlighted by 61 long-term leasable spaces and communal dining areas, where beloved Ilonggo dishes such as batchoy, pancit molo and fresh seafood take center stage. SICM’s central market section now caters to 850 vendors from the previous 529.

“We’re confident more people will buy our products now that the market is clean, organized, and has parking spaces. Even when we were at temporary stalls, our loyal customers kept finding us. We’re proud to help promote Iloilo through our native roast chicken,” said Evangeline Janeo, owner of Rawit’s Litson at the SICM.

SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim shared the company vision for the project: “Public markets play an essential role in the community and in the lives of local entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, we are helping strengthen both, and we are grateful to the Iloilo City Government for their trust and partnership.”

As the SM Iloilo Central and Terminal Markets reopen, it begins a new chapter in Ilonggo life – one that honors the past while embracing what’s next.

For generations, these markets have been where people trade, share meals, and connect. Their renewal keeps that spirit alive – stronger, cleaner, and ready for the future. It’s part of how SM continues to grow with the communities it serves, always with them in mind. (SM PRIME)

The National Resilience Council’s colloquium proves resilience thrives in collaboration

The National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines convened a diverse group of stakeholders for the event “From Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Innovations.” As a science and technology-driven public-private partnership, the NRC unites national and local governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to advance the interconnected objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and other global commitments.

National Resilience Council (NRC) Co-Chairman for the Private Sector Hans Sy, in his message of support, reiterates that resilience is a continuous journey and is a collective responsibility to build on progress, promote innovation, and ensure lasting impact.

Held as the 2025 Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the event showcased progress and updates from participating cities and municipalities in the NRC’s Adopt a City (AAC) Initiative. This initiative enables corporations to move beyond disaster relief, investing in risk reduction through preparedness funding, prevention, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience programs. By empowering local governments, AAC promotes collaborative efforts to build safer, more resilient communities.

At the National Resilience Council (NRC) Colloquium, local government units in the Adopt-a-City Initiative deliver a public narrative and take part in a panel discussion with leading resilience experts.

The colloquium also welcomed NRC’s private and public sector partners, with notable participation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of National Defense, and the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies – Philippine network. The event opened with inspiring messages from NRC Co-Chairman for the private sector and SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, NRC Vice Chairman for civil service organizations and Zuellig Family Foundation President Austere Panadero, and NRC Vice Chairman for the scientific organizations and academe and Director of the Manila Observatory Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ.

The National Resilience Council (NRC) Board launches the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss) at the colloquium together with representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of National Defense, the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies - Philippine network, and the City Mayor of Baguio, Hon. Benjamin Magalong, and Mayor of the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay, Hon. Jaime Villanueva.

Cities in the AAC’s Prepare phase—Baguio, Iligan, Mandaue, and Tiwi, Albay—presented their innovative disaster resilience strategies. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized, “Baguio’s resilience journey highlights the power of collaboration and national support.” Meanwhile, cities in the Adapt and Transform phase, the initiative’s next stages —Naga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bataan, Manila, and Ormoc—highlighted their advanced strides. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez shared, “I am very proud to say that because of Project Transform, together with our esteemed partners, Ormoc City is always on track in terms of environmental stewardship and resilience.”

More than 150 members, partners, supporters and participants of the National Resilience Council (NRC)’s programs came together to celebrate the achievements of local government units in the realm of disaster risk resilience.

A highlight of the event was the launch of the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss), a tool designed to strengthen local government capabilities in disaster resilience. Drawing from the NRC’s mission, the colloquium underscored the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving transformative change. By bridging sectors and promoting innovation, the NRC and its partners are paving the way for a resilient Philippines. (SM Supermalls)