ILOILO City — Top Iloilo City officials issued a joint call for unity, warning that internal divisions — both within government and among the public — could undermine the gains achieved during recent years of growth and development.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said sustaining Iloilo City’s momentum requires cooperation across sectors and a conscious effort by Ilonggos to rise above personal and political differences.
“Unity for everyone, every Ilonggo. After all, we only have one city, and whatever we do should always be for the common good,” Treñas said.
The mayor stressed that many of the city’s projects and programs succeed only when stakeholders work together, noting that division often slows implementation and weakens public trust in government.
She also appealed for greater responsibility in public discourse, particularly online, amid increasingly polarized exchanges on social media.
“Let us think before we speak and before we post, because our words can either divide or unite us. If we want a better Iloilo, we must choose unity every time,” Treñas added.
Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda echoed the call, emphasizing that unity within City Hall — especially between the executive and legislative branches — is crucial regardless of political affiliations.
“We need to unite and focus only on one direction, the betterment of the city and the welfare of our people,” Baronda said.
She reminded both officials and the public that leadership is temporary and must be exercised with humility and accountability.
“Our positions are only borrowed from the people for three years, so it is only right that we set aside personal interests and work together for every Ilonggo,” she added.
Baronda said true leadership should be defined by integrity, cooperation, and service — not by political advantage — as Iloilo City charts its course toward 2026 and beyond./PN
