ILOILO City – To fix overlapping programs and lift learning standards, the city government has launched the Iloilo City Education Committee (EdCom), a multi-sectoral “powerhouse” body tasked with shaping education policy, harmonizing resources, and driving literacy initiatives for every Ilonggo learner.
Mayor Raisa Treñas, who chairs the new committee under Executive Order No. 67, Series of 2025, said its creation underscores the city’s conviction that education is the backbone of development.
“We are grateful for the commitment of our members to achieve our goal of raising literacy and giving our children the best opportunities,” she said after swearing in members on September 22.
The mayor added a personal note, underscoring why education is close to her heart.
“As a mother, I see firsthand the importance of reading — and just last night, my two-year-old told me, ‘Mama, let’s read the Bible.’ That is why we are strengthening our support for children’s education—to see them love reading and learning,” she said.
The EdCom is envisioned as the city’s central advisory, planning, and monitoring hub for education. It will recommend policies, direct resources, and keep tabs on programs to ensure that learning in Iloilo City is inclusive, accessible, and of high quality.
The committee draws strength from its diverse membership. Representing higher education are Dr. Joselito Villaruz of West Visayas State University, Dr. Ma. Lourdes De Leon of the Association of Private Schools and Universities in Iloilo City, and Dr. Esther Babalo of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Iloilo.
Government representatives include Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ma. Luz De Los Reyes, who sits as vice chairperson; City Councilor Rudolf Jeffrey Ganzon; City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Teresa Gelogo; CPDO head Ronald Cartagena; and City Budget Officer Viminale Capulso. Youth and parent voices come from SK Federation President Jelma Crystel Implica and City Parents-Teachers Association chair Antonio Jacoba, while civil society is represented by Mary Jean Solido of the Uygongco Foundation, Inc.
Treñas said the EdCom will bridge gaps among DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), TESDA, and the city government, preventing duplication of projects and maximizing impact. It will also help design and monitor literacy drives, teacher support programs, scholarships, and ensure infrastructure like classrooms and school buildings meet standards.
“Through this committee, we want to create a stronger system that nurtures our learners, supports our educators, and empowers families, because a well-educated generation is the strongest guarantee of a better future for our city,” Treñas said.
With Iloilo City eyeing its 2029 goal of being among the most liveable and progressive urban centers, the EdCom is now positioned as the central force to ensure education becomes the foundation of that vision./PN
