LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Lucena City Public Market was recently honored with the Palengke Digital Breakthrough Growth Award at the 5th GCash Digital Excellence Awards held at Grand Hyatt Manila on February 19, 2026.

Mayor Mark Alcala and Mall Market Administrator Marianne Yap-Gallardo received the plaque of recognition on behalf of the market, which has become a model of digital innovation in the local trading ecosystem.

The award acknowledges the market’s push toward smarter, more efficient, and digitally empowered operations for both vendors and consumers. Initiatives such as digital payments, online inventory tracking, and enhanced customer service platforms demonstrate how traditional public markets can embrace technology to improve convenience, transparency, and competitiveness.

This recognition also highlights a broader trend: public markets in the Philippines, long known for cash-based transactions and informal operations, are increasingly adopting digital tools to streamline commerce, attract younger consumers, and integrate with the broader digital economy.

While the award celebrates technological progress, it also raises questions about accessibility and inclusivity. Not all vendors or buyers may be ready for full digital adoption, and bridging this gap will determine whether digital transformation benefits the whole community or just a subset. As more public markets embrace technology, will digital innovation truly elevate local trade — or risk leaving traditional vendors and consumers behind? (Larawan mula sa: We Are GCASH / Facebook)