ILOILO City – From making healthcare more accessible to opening more opportunities for students, the Iloilo City Government is putting greater focus on services that directly touch the lives of its people under the proposed 2027 budget.
The administration of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas is prioritizing healthcare and education, alongside continued investments in livelihood opportunities and social welfare programs, with the goal of reaching more Ilonggos and addressing their everyday needs.
In the health sector, a total of P145 million is proposed for major health assistance programs, ensuring continued support for residents who need help with medical expenses, hospitalization, laboratory procedures, and medicines.
This includes P30 million for the Health Assistance sa Pumuluyo, Laboratory kag Ospital Serbis (HAPLOS), P50 million for the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) which also include medical assistance, and P65 million for drugs and medicines. An additional P25.5 million is proposed for MediSen+, a free maintenance medicine program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, under the Atipan Center.
For Mayor Treñas, sustaining these programs means making sure that more families can turn to the city government when health emergencies and other difficult circumstances arise.
“We have proven this year how these programs have helped our people. And as promised, padayon naton nga i-expand kag i-strengthen ang ini nga mga programa kag serbisyo para mas madamo pa nga Ilonggo ang makabenepisyo kag mas masabat naton ang ila mga kinahanglanon,” Mayor Treñas said.
But the city’s healthcare investments go beyond financial assistance. The administration is also looking at bringing medical and rehabilitation services closer to communities, so residents will have more options without having to travel far for essential care.
Plans include establishing a second Uswag Physical Rehabilitation Center in Jaro to accommodate more patients who need rehabilitation services.
The city is also pursuing upgrades to its district health facilities, including the Jaro 1 District Health Center, following the opening of the Arevalo Super Health Center. These improvements aim to bring more comprehensive medical services within easier reach of neighborhood residents.
The upgrading of district health centers is also expected to strengthen district pharmacy services and improve access to essential medicines. To make these services more efficient, the city is working on the digitalization of its district pharmacy database.
EDUCATION: INVESTING IN CLASSROOMS, STUDENTS, AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Education remains a priority in Iloilo City’s proposed 2027 budget. The Special Education Fund (SEF) is projected to receive P680 million as its share of real property tax (RPT) collections.
For 2027, the city has proposed 38 SEF-funded school projects. Of these, 24 are additional school buildings and 14 upgrading electrical systems.
In 2026, 181 classrooms currently under construction, reflecting its ongoing efforts to address school infrastructure needs and improve learning facilities.
The city is also looking to expand the Iloilo City Community College to accommodate more Ilonggo students and widen access to affordable higher education.
For college students needing financial assistance, the Uswag Scholarship Program is set to receive P20 million under the proposed budget, allowing the city to continue supporting qualified beneficiaries in pursuing their education.
Support for younger learners and children with special needs is likewise part of the education agenda. The expanded RISEABLE Program, which provides support services for children with special needs aged zero to five years old, has a proposed allocation of P3.9 million.
The city is also continuing Edu-Liit, an initiative focused on supporting early childhood education and development.
LIVELIHOOD AND SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS REMAIN A PRIORITY
The proposed 2027 budget also provides continued support for livelihood, employment, and social welfare programs, including P30 million for the KAYA Program, P10 million for SPES, and funding for business development and start-up initiatives. Counterpart funds are also allocated for national government employment programs such as TUPAD.
For vulnerable sectors, the budget includes P17 million for senior citizens, P2.1 million for persons with disabilities (PWDs), and P3.6 million in cash subsidies for solo parents.
These allocations come alongside reductions in the Office of the City Mayor’s operating expenses, with Capital Outlay decreasing by 60.22% and Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) by 6.80% compared with 2026, as the city directs more resources toward programs and services that benefit Ilonggos./PN
