ILOILO City – Reinforcing its commitment to responsive governance and sustainable community development, the Iloilo City Government has launched the pioneering Iloilo City Academy for Public Service and Development or Barangay Academy, while also earning regional recognition from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its impactful community livelihood initiative, the Sustainable Income Generation through Entrepreneurship (SIGE) Asenso Program.
Led by Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, both initiatives underscore the city’s continuing drive to empower communities through capable leadership, inclusive economic opportunities, and innovative local governance.
Launched on May 14, 2026, at the City Hall Annex Auditorium, the Barangay Academy aims to institutionalize excellence in grassroots governance by equipping barangay officials and community workers with the skills and competencies needed to deliver more effective public service.
“The idea came from listening to the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of our barangay officials and community workers,” said Mayor Treñas during the launch. “At the center of local governance are our barangays — the true frontline of governance and the closest link between the government and the community.”
The academy is anchored on three key pillars: Capacity Development, Institutional Strengthening, and Cross-Cutting and Demand-Driven Initiatives. These focus on enhancing governance competencies, improving internal systems and disaster preparedness, and promoting transparency, citizen engagement, and data-driven governance.
The landmark initiative was witnessed by DILG Region 6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, who hailed the program as the first of its kind in Western Visayas and described it as a long-term investment in good governance at the grassroots level.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa City Government of Iloilo, under the leadership of Mayor Raisa Treñas. Why? Kasi inaksyonan niya agad ’to. Unang usap namin ni mayor, ‘yun agad ang bukambibig — ‘Tulungan natin ang mga barangay, ayusin natin,’” Ingeniero said.
A ceremonial commitment signing highlighted the launch, joined by DILG Iloilo City Director Oscar Lim Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay President Irene Ong, City Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, the District Association of Barangay Captains, and barangay officials.
Sarabia, chair of the City Council Committee on Appropriations, emphasized the importance of strengthening public service and fiscal responsibility at the barangay level, noting that effective budget management is a crucial step toward better governance.
“Kon palangga naton ang syudad, we need to improve man sang aton nga pagserbisyo. Isa na da ka major step ang maayo nga pag-uyat sang aton mga budget,” said Sarabia.
Meanwhile, the city also garnered recognition from the DILG-6 after receiving a plaque of recognition and a P750,000 incentive under the Sustainable Development Goal Achievement Champions and Exemplars (SDG ACEs) program.
The award recognized the city’s SIGE Asenso Program – Community-based Livelihood Opportunities under Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth.
DILG-6 described the city government’s program as transformative, people-centered, and responsive governance initiatives.
Mayor Treñas said the incentive will fund the establishment of a weaving production facility that will expand livelihood opportunities for Ilonggos while helping preserve Iloilo’s rich hablon weaving tradition.
Through the initiative, 30 women from the So-oc Arevalo Homeowners Association underwent training in hablon weaving and basic entrepreneurship, providing families with additional sources of income and empowering women through community-based enterprise.
The SIGE Asenso Program is implemented through the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office in partnership with the Iloilo City Local Housing Office, Arevalo Handwoven Products, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Together, the launch of the Barangay Academy and the recognition of the SIGE Asenso Program highlight Iloilo City’s vision of creating empowered communities through good governance, inclusive development, and sustainable economic opportunities.
“Kon mag-invest kita sa aton mga barangay kag sa aton mga tawo, mas mapabakod naton ang aton mga komunidad kag mas mapa-uswag pa ang aton syudad para sa tanan,” Mayor Treñas emphasized./PN
