ILOILO City – Barely a week since assuming office, newly installed Mayor Raisa S. Treñas has already made significant strides in delivering on her promise of inclusive, action-oriented governance.
From day one, the young Treñas has walked her talk and set a tone of her leadership that is participatory, proactive, and grounded in the real needs of the Ilonggo people.
Acknowledging the importance of Divine guidance, she began her first day with a solemn mass attended by her family, department heads, and City Hall employees. Notably, she has declared an open-door policy at the City Mayor’s Office, further reflecting her commitment to accessibility and inclusive public service.
“We want the direction of our leadership to be clear from the start – one that listens, acts, and cares,” she said.
Strong Engagement with Stakeholders
A flurry of engagements with local and international partners marked her first week.
Mayor Treñas welcomed top officials from the Philippine National Police, including Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Brigadier General Josefino Ligan and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Colonel Kim Legada, to discuss the enhancement of police response time and the 911 emergency system.
The city expressed full support for the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Buy 1, Give 1” program, which aims to equip local police with more patrol vehicles.
Mayor Treñas also met with La Paz Football Club, the PAGEONE Group, Casino Español, former Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, and iQor, as well as Economic and Climate Counsellor of the British Embassy in Manila Lloyd Cameron.
She welcomed the Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh, Nina Cainglet, to explore future collaborations in the garment sector, cultural exchange, and tourism.
Support from the community poured in as well, with groups such as the Raisa Movement Green Warriors paying a courtesy visit to reaffirm their backing.
Action Through Executive Orders
To signal her administration’s commitment to swift and meaningful governance, Mayor Treñas issued 14 executive orders in her first week alone.
Among the key directives were the reconstitution of the Drainage Task Force to address flooding, and the reorganization of Task Force ASIS (Anti- Squatting and Illegal Structure) and Task Force on Morals and Values Formation to safeguard women and children.
Reinforcing Institutions and Collaborations
The new mayor engaged with the Human Resource Department to streamline employee functions and ensure accountability in public service.
She likewise met with La Paz Rotary Club to discuss possible joint projects, and welcomed a benchmarking team from Tampakan, South Cotabato headed by Mayor Leonard Escobillo, who were eager to learn from Iloilo’s Public-Private Partnership model.
Her office received courtesy calls from Ateneo de Manila University, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a former European football player, and the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, each expressing interest in future collaborations.
Humanitarian Assistance and Welfare Programs
Mayor Treñas responded quickly to the needs of stranded seafarers in Lapuz district, facilitating assistance with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for six Filipinos and seven Indian nationals, ensuring they received medical aid before returning home.
She also assured immediate help to the family of a deceased city employee such as guaranteeing scholarship support for the children and employment for the surviving spouse.
The mayor then visited the Assumption Socio-Educational Center to unveil plans for area rehabilitation.
Forward-Thinking Governance and Innovation
The first week also saw the mayor actively pushing for smarter governance. Her administration received proposals for the digitalization and centralization of city services, a major step toward realizing a Smart and Innovative Iloilo City.
She spearheaded the Annual Budget Forum with department heads and the Local Finance Committee to ensure transparency in fiscal management.
Mayor Treñas also addressed payroll delays with the Personnel Information and Payroll System Management Office (PIPSMO) and led focus group discussions with key sectors, particularly on healthcare, traffic, and social services.
Strengthening Economic and Business Ties
As a panelist in the Iloilo City Economic and Business Expo, Mayor Treñas shared her vision of reviving the City Proper at night through a proposed night market.
She met with Megaworld’s top executives led by its President and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfons, who presented upcoming developments including the launch of the Belmont Hotel and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse.
She conducted a site inspection of the Bo. Obrero Primary Care Health Facility and discussed future collaborations with Uswag Ilonggo Party-list’s Cong. James “Jojo” Ang.
Environmental Commitment and Climate Resilience
Mayor Treñas demonstrated environmental leadership through a briefing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Project TRANSFORM, focusing on urban greening efforts. She also initiated a partnership with Signpost International to introduce rainwater harvesting systems in high-risk barangays, particularly during the dry season.
Recognitions and Media Engagement
On behalf of former Mayor Jerry Treñas, she received an award from the DENR as Best Stakeholder for the Urban Forest Tree Mounting Program, along with a Plaque of Appreciation for the successful implementation of the TAWAG Project for Children with Special Needs.
As part of her first week, the city mayor held her first press conference with the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps wherein she expressed gratitude for their role in promoting transparency and keeping the public informed.
A Promise of More to Come
“Padayon ang serbisyo,” the mayor assured.
She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received in her first few days in office.
“This first week shows that our service does not pause. There is still much to be done, but with unity and cooperation, I am confident that Iloilo will continue to rise,” she added.
Indeed, with an energetic and purpose-driven start, Mayor Raisa Treñas signals a new chapter of inclusive, transparent, and people-centered governance for Iloilo City./PN
