GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city government of General Santos City has assured public market vendors that stall rentals in the planned redevelopment of the central public market—dubbed a “mallengke”—will remain affordable, amid concerns that private sector participation could lead to higher fees.

City Administrator Shandee Llido-Pestaño said the city’s agreement with Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) fixes the rental rate at P50 per square meter for stalls in the new facility. Speaking in a recent radio interview, Pestaño clarified that the rate is explicitly stipulated in the contract governing the redevelopment.

According to city data, most existing stallholders occupy an average of 2.5 square meters. At the agreed rate, a typical vendor would pay P3,750 per month, or roughly P125 per day, inclusive of taxes. City officials said this pricing structure is designed to protect vendors from sudden increases while ensuring the market’s long-term viability.

Pestaño stressed that the rate strikes a balance between affordability and sustainability, particularly given the market’s central location and planned upgrades. She noted that the redeveloped complex will feature improved sanitation, orderly layouts, modern facilities, and legally secured stalls—benefits that justify the rate without burdening small traders.

“This is already very affordable,” Pestaño said, pointing out that comparable commercial spaces in prime urban areas typically command much higher rents. She added that the city remains committed to enabling vendors to return to the public market once redevelopment is complete, emphasizing that the rates are “just” and not disadvantageous to those who choose to continue operating there.

The mallengke project aims to modernize the aging public market while preserving its role as a hub for small vendors and daily consumers. City officials reiterated that safeguards in the agreement with RLC are intended to prevent displacement and maintain the market’s public character, even as private-sector expertise is tapped for redevelopment.

As consultations continue, the city government said it will keep engaging vendors to address operational concerns, provide guidance on stall allocation, and ensure transparency as the project moves forward. Officials also said that the redevelopment would not only improve vendor facilities but also enhance the shopping experience for residents, reinforcing the market’s role as a community anchor.