ILOILO City – Immediate action on the longstanding concern of inadequate office space for the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Vice Mayor Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda used her first official courtesy call on Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu not only to extend greetings but also to push for this.
The meeting, held late afternoon on July 1, marked a potentially pivotal moment of collaboration between the two top city officials.
Treñas acknowledged Baronda’s visit, calling it a significant gesture.
“I personally extended my respect and congratulations to Vice Mayor Baronda,” the mayor said. “Although we already had other guests waiting, I made it a point to accommodate her to give importance to her visit.”
Baronda, in turn, invited the mayor to attend the inaugural SP session the following day, although Treñas said prior commitments would prevent her from attending. Still, the two took the opportunity to address key issues, foremost of which is the workspace at the Legislative Building.
“The sixth floor isn’t solely for the Vice Mayor; it also accommodates the SP Secretariat, which has more than 80 employees. Right now, it can only seat around 30,” Baronda said, citing the shortage as a serious obstacle to council operations.
She also noted the lack of designated rooms for committee hearings and meetings.
As a solution, Baronda proposed converting a portion of the third floor into an archive office for the SP Secretariat, stressing the importance of supporting legislative processes.
“That’s the purpose of my request for a portion of the third floor, to house the SP archives and ensure smoother council operations,” she said.
Baronda emphasized the original intent behind the building’s construction. “As the author of the ordinance that led to the construction of the Legislative Building, I believe we must go back to its original intent, to serve the priorities and needs of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.”
Treñas acknowledged the concerns and promised to study the request. She explained that a memorandum from the previous administration under her father, former Mayor Jerry Treñas, had already designated the entire sixth floor — approximately 590 square meters — to the Office of the Vice Mayor.
“Still, we assure Vice Mayor Baronda that we will assist her and do our best to support her office’s needs,” the mayor said, although she noted that the area Baronda is requesting on the third floor is currently occupied.
“Whatever problems the Sangguniang Panlungsod and our beloved city of Iloilo may face, I believe they can be solved if our leaders help and understand each other,” said Baronda./PN
