ILOILO City – In a strategic move to position itself as a national hub for creative industries, the Iloilo City Government has officially declared the Iloilo Business Park (IBP) as its Center of Arts and Culture, recognizing the township’s growing influence in arts, heritage, and tourism.
Through Executive Order No. 021, Mayor Raisa Treñas formalized the designation, describing it as “a strong statement that Iloilo City is committed to uplifting, strengthening, and encouraging the growth of our creative industries and cultural identity as Ilonggos.”
She emphasized that the declaration is not merely symbolic but part of a concrete agenda to develop a robust cultural economy.
The 72-hectare mixed-use development by Megaworld Corporation has emerged as a key cultural destination in the city, housing the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) — the first modern art museum in the Visayas — and the Emperador Brandy Museum, the first of its kind in the Philippines.
The area also regularly hosts major events at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), including national and international art exhibits, creative summits, and cultural forums.
IBP’s growing portfolio of cultural initiatives includes support for the Dinagyang Festival, the Iloilo Arts and Food Festivals, and the Iloilo Bike Festival, among others.
It will soon be the venue for a major fashion exhibition honoring Philippine fashion icon Patis Tesoro, reinforcing its role as a premiere destination for creative endeavors.
Its contribution to the city’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy has also been notable, with its hotels and restaurants elevating Ilonggo cuisine by offering modern interpretations of traditional dishes to global guests.
Megaworld president and chief executive officer Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso welcomed the city’s move, affirming that IBP was envisioned as a “canvas that celebrates the Ilonggos’ deep-rooted passion for creative expression.”
She added that the company has worked closely with the city government — since the time of former Mayor Jerry Treñas — to integrate cultural development into urban planning and public spaces.
With this formal recognition, IBP is set to serve as a flagship cultural district under the city’s long-term development roadmap, aligning with broader efforts to make Iloilo a leader in culture-based urban growth, heritage preservation, and inclusive tourism./PN
