ILOILO City – This city is marking its 88th Charter Day by putting the spotlight on the men and women who embody the Ilonggo spirit of excellence, service, and compassion.
Instead of focusing solely on ceremonies, this year’s milestone continues the tradition of honoring outstanding Ilonggos from various fields, which underscore that Iloilo’s greatest strength comes from its people.
“Iloilo City is what it is today because of its people, because of the Ilonggos, especially those who go above and beyond to be exemplary. They are our pride, our strength, and the reason we continue to rise as a community,” said Mayor Raisa S. Treñas.
“Today, we celebrate a city made by its people — resilient, caring, and determined to lift one another,” she added.
Top distinctions will be presented to exemplary Ilonggos today at the annual Mayor’s Dinner.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Dr. Mary Lou Lacson, Ma. Luisa C. Segovia, and Maria Terese “Nene” Chan for decades of leadership and service that continue to inspire the community.
The Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred on Ma. Beatriz Fabella “Patis” Pamintuan Tesoro, Felipe A. Uygongco, and Samuel Po for their transformative contributions to business, culture, and civic life.
The Ten Outstanding Ilonggos of Iloilo City namely Dr. Anjuli May P. Jaen, Ralph Lauren Torre Figueroa, Dr. Brian Gul S. Sarinas, Dante Villanueva Aguilar, Winston Conrad B. Padojinog, Ernesto A. Borromeo Jr., Nicolas “Nick” Deocampo, Engr. Fulbert Woo, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, and Ramonito “Ram” Bearneza Silva will be recognized for excellence in health, education, culture, innovation, and public service.
The city will also pay tribute through a Posthumous Achievement Award to Gilopez Kabayao and Magdalena Jalandoni, whose contributions continue to inspire generations.
The City Government also earlier honored the 40 Most Outstanding City Government Employees and Departments for upholding integrity and excellence in public service.
“Iloilo City has some of the finest public servants who carry the torch of excellence with pride. They go beyond expectations and serve without limits,” Treñas said during the awarding ceremony at last week’s Monday flag-raising rites.
The stories of this year’s honorees gave life to the theme, “Celebrating 88 Years of Resilient Innovations for Sustainable Empowerment”: educators who open doors for the youth, health professionals who safeguard communities, culture-bearers who keep heritage alive, entrepreneurs who generate opportunities, and public servants who make government work for everyone.
By centering the Charter Day on its honorees, the city is sending a clear message: Iloilo’s progress is people-powered. Each achievement recognized is a building block of a more liveable, inclusive, and forward-looking city.
“As we start the next chapter, we take our cue from our people. Their dedication is our direction. Their example is our standard,” Treñas added.
FRESH BRANDING, RISE-TO-ACTION BATTLE CRY
Coinciding with its 88th Charter Day, Iloilo City is also charting a new course in its journey of progress. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, the city has emerged as a model of sustainable development and progressive urbanization in the country.
At the helm now is Mayor Raisa, the city’s first duly elected woman chief executive, who vowed to build on the gains of past administrations while introducing innovative, people-centered approaches to governance.
The city government seeks to create greater value for Ilonggos by adopting progressive programs and strategies with lasting impact. Central to this effort is a renewed city branding that encapsulates Iloilo’s evolving identity and direction.
Recognizing that information is now an essential tool of governance, the new leadership underscores the importance of effectively communicating the city’s vision and initiatives to rally citizens and stakeholders.
A refreshed city logo and the aspirational “RISE to ACTION” battle cry have been launched to embody Iloilo City’s thrust toward inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability.
Mayor Treñas said the branding initiative not only strengthens the city government’s identity but also reinforces its momentum as Iloilo continues to captivate the hearts of Ilonggos, visitors, and partners both in the Philippines and abroad.
INITIAL GAINS UNDER MAYOR RAISA
Launched alongside the month-long celebration of Iloilo City’s 88th Charter Day, the City Government has rolled out people-centered programs anchored on its RISE-to-Action development pillars—focusing on health and social services, economic opportunities, and sustainable, liveable communities.
The three pillars are Rising Health and Social Services, which expands programs for health, education, and the overall well-being of Ilonggos; Rising Economy, which focuses on creating jobs, strengthening entrepreneurship, and ensuring equal opportunities for all; and Rising Liveability, which promotes safe, peaceful, disaster-ready, and green communities.
Mayor Raisa said these pillars put people at the core of governance, with new initiatives showing the city’s commitment to inclusive and accessible services.
Among the flagship projects is the newly opened Uswag Atipan Center at City Hall, a one-stop hub that provides financial and burial assistance, livelihood and education support, health and dental services, and other social programs.
In just four days since its launch, the center has already served 437 residents.
To boost employment opportunities, the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has established a permanent Recruitment Center at City Hall.
Open daily, it connects residents to available jobs and complements other livelihood programs such as the Uswag Negosyo Academy and Traibaho Ilonggo training initiatives.
On healthcare, the city operates nine Uswag Pharmacies in district health centers and at City Hall — the first of their kind in Western Visayas. These outlets dispense 75 essential medicines free of charge, with licensed pharmacists on-site to assist patients.
The city has also partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and stakeholders for Project TRANSFORM, a science- and nature-based initiative for resilience and sustainable urban development that will be rolled out across all barangays.
Mayor Treñas welcomed the strong support from the community, saying these early programs reflect the city’s resolve to bring government services closer to the people.
“It is inspiring to hear feedback from our constituents. It motivates me to work even harder to deliver meaningful programs that care, listen, and respond to the needs of every Ilonggo,” she said./PN
