ILOILO City – Alarmed by a string of business closures in the city’s historic downtown, the city government is launching a major revitalization effort to repaint all commercial buildings along Calle Real, with funding support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Mayor Raisa Treñas said, “We’re preserving heritage while also trying to revive the economy in Calle Real.”
The initiative comes at a critical time for the famed heritage district, once Iloilo’s bustling commercial hub. Two landmark establishments — Wewin’s Bakeshop and Socorro Drug — have either closed or are set to cease operations, reflecting the area’s continuing economic downturn.
“Wewin’s Bakeshop has already shut down, and Socorro Drug, a nostalgic meeting spot in the pre-cellphone era, will close its doors on July 15,” Treñas said. “These closures are a wake-up call. We need to act now to bring back the energy and activity in Calle Real.”
To jumpstart the project, Treñas has called on volunteer architects and engineers to help assess the volume of materials needed. Their input will help the city finalize its request for paint and restoration materials from the NCCA, and guide the logistics for implementation.
A Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and the NCCA is expected to be signed soon to formalize the partnership.
“This is a strategic effort to revive the local economy in Calle Real. A well-maintained and visually appealing environment draws not just tourists but also investors and entrepreneurs,” Treñas said.
Calle Real, also known as J.M. Basa Street, is celebrated for its American-era architecture and cultural value.
Treñas emphasized that the restoration project is not just about maintaining aesthetics but about creating a more livable, business-friendly space that could spur new food and hospitality ventures in the area.
“We’ve observed that people don’t really dine in Calle Real anymore, especially in the evening,” Treñas noted. “We hope that by improving the environment, we can attract more restaurants and cafés to open here.”
The NCCA, the country’s premier cultural agency, has long been a partner in the preservation and promotion of heritage districts like Calle Real, providing crucial funding for conservation and urban renewal projects in line with its cultural mandate.
Once completed, the city hopes the repainting project will restore the district’s charm and transform Calle Real into a vibrant cultural and commercial destination — a symbol of Iloilo’s past and future thriving side by side./PN
