ILOILO City – This city, led by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, has become a benchmark for effective and exemplary local governance in the country.
Through its remarkable progress and development as well as its best practices and exemplary programs, Iloilo City has earned numerous national and global accolades, worthy of emulation by other local government units (LGUs) in the country.
“The city’s achievements, innovations, and good governance have become a source of pride for Ilonggos, no matter where they are in the country or abroad,” said Treñas.
For effective local governance, Iloilo City has attracted the attention of various LGUs and institutions.
Since 2023, close to 60 LGUs and organizations have visited the city for benchmarking, including representatives from Naga City led by no less than the former Vice President Leni Robrero, Masbate, Albay, Koronadal City, Pampanga, Cuyo (Palawan), Zamboanga, Valencia City (Bukidnon), Barangay North Fairview (Quezon City), San Fernando (La Union), Alangalang (Leyte), Tagbilaran City (Bohol), Angeles City, Don Carlos (Bukidnon), Dulag (Leyte), the Intramuros Administration, and many others.
Treñas’ transformative leadership turned his vision of inclusive development into tangible and impactful results.
In nearly six years, his administration has accomplished the construction of over P7-billion worth of infrastructure projects, with the majority already successfully completed, while the rest remain in progress.
These initiatives span various categories, including vertical structures, electrical systems, roads, drainage, public markets, plazas, the Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARE) Centers, special projects, and programs funded by the Special Education Fund (SEF).
Education-related infrastructure — such as school buildings and educational facilities funded by the SEF — received the largest allocation, amounting to P2 billion. This was followed by vertical structures at P1.8 billion, roads at P992 million, markets at P947 million, drainages at P378 million, plazas at P348 million, the ICARE Centers at P228 million, special projects at P219 million, and electrical infrastructure at P28 million.
The Treñas administration has also spearheaded numerous high-impact projects aimed at improving healthcare services for the Ilonggos. Among these initiatives are the newly established Iloilo City Nutrition Center; two dialysis centers, which provide free services to indigent residents in need; Mental Wellness Building; Uswag Molecular Laboratory; Uswag Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Center; and Uswag Physical Rehabilitation Center, ensuring accessible and specialized medical services for the public.
Furthermore, ongoing efforts to enhance open spaces, public plazas, and public markets have transformed Iloilo City into a more vibrant, aesthetically pleasing, and economically dynamic urban center.
This comprehensive approach reflects the city’s commitment to sustainable growth and improved quality of life for its residents.
Treñas underscored that these initiatives reflect the city government’s gratitude and as a way of giving back to its citizens and all stakeholders who have contributed to the city’s successes.
“We are fully committed to delivering accessible and high-quality services to our people through these impactful projects. These initiatives represent our way of giving back to our residents and our partners in the business community. The success we see today is a direct result of the unwavering support they have extended to the city government — through their commitment and diligence in fulfilling their responsibilities, including paying their taxes,” the city mayor expressed.
In recognition of its outstanding performance, Iloilo City has received numerous accolades, including the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, No. 1 in Government Efficiency, Top 5 Most Business-Friendly LGU, Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines and No. 1 outside National Capital Region, Galing Pook Winner and Finalist for its Bike Lane and Iloilo Sports Academy, ASEAN Smoke-free Award, One of the Top 18 World’s Fitness-Friendly Cities, country’s Best Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for highly urbanized cities, and many more.
The city is also praised for its continuous efforts in environmental protection and urban beautification through initiatives like street and river clean-up, massive tree growing especially of native tress, and embarking on environment-friendly projects like the Iloilo City Solid Waste Management Facility.
For these remarkable accomplishments, the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. has recognized Treñas as the Top Performing Mayor in Western Visayas, and two-time regional Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee by the Civil Service Commission.
With a strong vision for development and public service, Iloilo City is steadily solidifying its reputation as one of the most progressive and dynamic cities in the Philippines./PN
