ILOILO City – Mayor-elect Raisa Treñas-Chu formally took her oath of office on Friday, June 27, at the penthouse of city hall.
In her inaugural address, the incoming local chief executive expressed deep gratitude to her family, supporters, and the people of Iloilo City, who gave her the mandate through 170,162 votes, deemed historic for being the biggest number of votes cast so far for this city’s mayor.
“It is heartwarming to see so many familiar faces here today,” Treñas-Chu began, noting that the people in attendance had stood by her side for years. “Nagapakita lang ini that you never left. You have been there through the years. Ang inyo suporta, pagpalangga, kag pag-unong, wala gid sang tupong. Madamo gid nga salamat!”
She paid special tribute to her husband Francis and daughter Thea, her parents Mayor Jerry and Rosalie Treñas, her siblings and extended family, former senator Frank Drilon, her core campaign group “Team Uswag”, and the new slate of city councilors.
“This journey is not mine alone, this is our shared victory,” she said.
Treñas-Chu, the first woman to be elected mayor of Iloilo City, acknowledged the weight of the role and vowed to live up to the people’s trust.
“The title may be historically flattering, but indi naton manigar that it comes with great responsibility,” she said.
Looking back at her years of working behind the scenes when her father served as congressman and mayor, she praised the dedication of public servants, barangay officials, and private sector partners, saying: “Wala ko man ma-verbalize ang akon bug-os nga pagdayaw sa inyo, but please know that I’ve been applauding you all from afar.”
Now stepping into the forefront of leadership, Treñas-Chu declared her readiness: “Ready to rise to the challenge, ready to rise to action, and ready to rise to success with every Ilonggo!”
Before laying out her plans, she honored outgoing Mayor Jerry Treñas, for his four decades of public service.
“Before I step in as the ‘Iloy sang syudad,’ I honor the ‘Amay sang kauswagan sang Iloilo City’ — Mayor Jerry Treñas,” she said, recalling a moment they shared after one of his oath-takings years ago.
“The election is over, and there’s a lot of work to do,” she added, emphasizing continuity and focus over political bickering. She cited several ongoing projects that need to be completed, the city’s public markets, plazas, the Uswag Molecular Laboratory, Iloilo City Hospital, and the Iloilo City Sports Center.
Treñas-Chu urged all Ilonggos to row in the same direction: “Ang pag-uswag sang syudad indi lang trabaho sang alkalde kundi sang tagsa-tagsa nga Ilonggo.”
Treñas-Chu laid down her vision of making Iloilo City a dynamic development hub across sectors, with stronger job creation, business growth, and inclusive social development. She reaffirmed support for existing initiatives like the “tRAIbaho” livelihood program, “Raise Mental Health” program, Iloilo Sports Academy, “Raise-A-Farm”, “Merkado Lokal”, and the Uswag Negosyo Academy.
“These past few days have been a humbling and enriching experience,” she said of the transition period. “Expect a leadership that listens, reflects, and innovates.”
Toward the end of her speech, Treñas-Chu echoed a request made earlier by her father during his farewell address: that the people of Iloilo remember him in their prayers.
“Today, mangayo man ako gamay nga pabor, please include me also in your thoughts and prayers,” she said. “Agud madumalahan naton ang syudad sang Iloilo with integrity, compassion, and courage.”
She concluded with a heartfelt promise: “Today, I take this oath not only as your mayor, but as your partner in building the future we all dream of, just, inclusive, resilient, and full of hope. Kay maga serbisyo ako sang matuod-tuod, kag pakita ko nga ang pagpalangga ko, todo todo.”/PN
