‘Mayor Magalong, City Councilors—mali po kayo…’ – Media personnel protests “Mallification” of Baguio City Public Market

Baguio City, Philippines – A media practitioner has publicly called out Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and members of the City Council, protesting the planned redevelopment of the Baguio City Public Market. The protester said the proposed project disregards the needs of ordinary vendors and residents, stressing that the market plays a vital role in the community’s livelihood.

A video showing a man wearing a MEDIA ID and a camera around his neck has been circulating on Facebook, where he openly criticized the city officials’ plan to transform the public market into a privately operated entity.

The video was posted on October 31, 2025, by Fridge TV, a Baguio-based content creator, with the caption: “Ang city market ay para sa maliliit na tao... #YEStoDevelopment #NOtoMallification.” It has since garnered over 600,000 views and drawn mixed reactions from supporters of the city officials, vendors, and residents.

In the video, the media personnel asserted that Mayor Magalong and the City Councilors were mistaken, insisting that their plan does not reflect the will of the people.

“Mayor Magalong, City Councilors—mali po kayo. Bakit hindi niyo matanggap na mali po kayo? Yung inyong nilalakad, yung isinusulong niyo, hindi po ‘yan ang gusto naming mga tao. Yun ang pinaka-importanteng konsiderasyon diyan,” he said.

The media personnel, whose name was withheld, emphasized that the market belongs to the ordinary people, not large corporations. He warned that modernization could displace small vendors, porters, and local shop owners who depend on the public market for their livelihood.

He further urged city officials to remember that power comes from the people and vowed to defend the Baguio City Public Market that had sustained him through the years.

“Sana malaman ng ating mga namumuno sa lungsod na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay nagmumula sa mga tao. Sana’y kakatawanin nila kung ano ang ating pinagdaraanan at karanasan. I love this city because this city loved me. I will protect this city because this city protected me. I will fight for this city market because this market nourished me through the years,” he said.

To recall, the proposed redevelopment plan for the public market, according to the Baguio City Public Information Office (PIO), was formally received by the City Council on September 12, 2025, sparking mixed reactions among residents, vendors, and consumers.