Baguio puts public market PPP bids on hold

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government will no longer entertain unsolicited proposals to redevelop the Baguio City Public Market until a master development plan (MDP) is completed and formally adopted, following the withdrawal of a major private sector bid.

The city council approved Resolution 02-2026 during its regular session on Jan. 5, two days after SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) pulled out its proposal to redevelop the market under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the resolution on Jan. 19.

The measure states that accepting unsolicited proposals without an approved MDP could “compromise the integrity, coherence, and strategic direction of the city’s development efforts.”

It underscores that future proposals must align with the MDP to ensure “transparency, accountability, and orderly development.”

In the same session, the council passed Resolution 01-2026 formally acknowledging SM Prime’s withdrawal.

Also signed by Magalong on Jan. 19, the resolution directs that the proposal be treated as withdrawn, with no further review or action by the council.

All documents submitted by SM Prime in support of its proposal will be returned, and the project will be removed from the city’s list of pending PPP initiatives.

The Baguio City Public Market, a key commercial hub, has been the subject of redevelopment discussions in recent years as the city balances modernization plans with heritage, vendor welfare and urban planning concerns.