Cebu City’s long-running Carbon Market redevelopment continued its push forward after a court rejected a request to stop the project, clearing the way for ongoing works while legal challenges remain unresolved.
In a resolution dated April 23, 2026, Regional Trial Court Branch 16 denied the petition for a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction filed by Carbohanong Alyansa Alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ogma sa mga Nanginabuhi (CARBON) and other petitioners.
The groups sought to block the implementation of the joint venture agreement between the Cebu City government and Megawide Construction Corp., arguing alleged irregularities and adverse impacts on vendors and nearby communities.
The court, however, ruled that the petition failed to establish a clear legal right that would justify stopping the project at this stage.
It stressed that injunctions are extraordinary remedies meant to preserve the status quo only when legal rights are clearly shown to have been violated.
The ruling also noted that the petitioners were not parties to the joint venture agreement and did not demonstrate direct legal injury sufficient to halt its implementation.
While the petitioners raised concerns over displacement, business disruption, and rising costs, the court classified these as economic in nature and compensable through damages, rather than irreparable harm.
With the denial of the injunction, the redevelopment of the Carbon Market area is expected to proceed as planned while the case moves to full trial.
The project covers about 7 to 8 hectares in Barangay Ermita, including sections of the Carbon Market, Freedom Park, Warwick Barracks, and portions of the waterfront area.
The city government and Megawide have maintained that the redevelopment will be implemented in phases, with vendors either retained in designated areas or relocated to interim sites to maintain market operations.
Court records also cited findings that vendors continue to operate and that there has been no mass or forcible eviction to date.
The petitioners earlier raised issues on land ownership, public consultation, and provisions of the agreement, along with concerns over limited stall availability compared to the number of vendors and the situation of informal settlers in Sitio Bato.
These matters will be addressed during the main proceedings, with the court setting the case for pre-trial on June 24, 2026. (LLP)
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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