GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The planned P2.3-billion redevelopment of the General Santos City public market is set to reshape one of the city’s most critical commercial hubs, reflecting a broader push to modernize traditional trading centers in fast-growing regional cities.

The project, a partnership between the city government and Robinsons Land Corporation, will transform the central market into a “mallengke”—a hybrid facility combining the functions of a traditional public market with the infrastructure and amenities of a modern commercial complex.

Long regarded as the main trading node for agricultural and seafood products from South Cotabato, Sarangani, and nearby provinces, the GenSan public market plays a key role in the city’s food supply and price formation. Business groups say upgraded facilities, improved sanitation, and better logistics could enhance efficiency for vendors and improve the overall consumer experience.

The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the project, describing it as a landmark development that could reinforce the city’s position as a regional trade hub while generating employment and attracting ancillary businesses.

However, stakeholders note that the project’s success will hinge on how it affects small vendors who rely on daily market trade. Issues such as stall affordability, vendor relocation during construction, and long-term access for low-income consumers remain central to public discussion.

As General Santos continues to expand as a commercial center in Southern Mindanao, the market redevelopment highlights the challenge of balancing modernization with inclusivity—ensuring that infrastructure upgrades strengthen, rather than disrupt, the traditional market ecosystem that underpins the local economy.