ILOILO City – In a bid to end the cycle of botched and wasteful infrastructure projects, Mayor Raisa Treñas has created the Iloilo City Infrastructure Coordination Committee (ICICC) through Executive Order No. 084, Series of 2025, making it mandatory for all national and local agencies to secure city clearance before breaking ground on any project.
Signed on September 16, the order requires a Certificate of Coordination from the city government, effectively giving Iloilo City veto power over uncoordinated, redundant, or technically unsound projects.
Treñas said the move was a direct response to recurring cases of unfinished multipurpose buildings, defective school facilities, and other projects declared “completed” on paper but unusable in reality.
“Gusto naton nga ang tanan nga proyekto nga ginahimo sa aton syudad — national man ini ukon lokal — may maayo ang plano kag wala sang pag-usik sang pondo,” Treñas said. “Ini nga EO isa ka garantiya nga ang tanan nga proyekto sa Iloilo City mangin epektibo, useful, kag aligned sa aton plano para sa mas ma-uswag nga syudad.”
Who sits in the committee?
Treñas will chair the ICICC, with the regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as co-chairpersons.
Members include the city engineer, architect, legal officer, planning and development officer, environment and natural resources officer, building official, and traffic chief.
Barangay captains will also sit as ad hoc members for projects affecting their areas, giving residents direct representation.
What projects are covered?
The scope covers virtually all infrastructure works within the city — including national and local projects, city-owned properties, donated lands, public schools (except state universities), road rehabilitation on both city and national roads, and even uncompleted projects.
Key safeguards
* Certificate of Coordination – required before implementation
* Full project disclosure – agencies must submit scope, plans, budget, timeline, funding source, and relocation plans
* Feasibility checks – projects will be reviewed for necessity, technical soundness, and conformity with Iloilo’s land use plan
* Protection of residents and environment – relocation must precede displacement; agencies must present risk-mitigation measures
* Efficiency and accountability – duplication will be avoided to maximize limited funds.
The EO cites the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code, which mandate consultation and coordination between national agencies and local governments. It emphasizes that in cases of doubt, interpretation must favor public welfare, accountability, and transparency./PN
