ILOILO City — With Iloilo City’s economy expanding to nearly P182 billion, Mayor Raisa Treñas is pushing for stronger government, industry and academic partnerships to turn economic growth into more jobs and better livelihood opportunities for Ilonggos.
Speaking at the Iloilo Talent and Education Conference 2026 on October 29, Treñas stressed that sustained economic expansion must be matched by a skilled workforce capable of meeting industry demands and attracting new investments.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Iloilo City’s economy grew by 6.1 percent from 2024 to 2025, reaching P181.99 billion in economic output.
Treñas said the challenge is ensuring that this growth translates into tangible employment opportunities for residents rather than merely higher economic figures.
In her second State of the City Address, the mayor reported that nearly 40,000 Ilonggos received employment assistance during the first year of her administration.
The city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) recorded a 97.21 percent placement rate, while Iloilo City’s overall employment rate stood at 95.8 percent.
Despite these gains, Treñas emphasized the need to bridge the gap between workers’ qualifications and employers’ requirements to sustain the city’s competitiveness as a business and investment hub in Western Visayas.
She called for closer collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions and private companies to align education and skills training with emerging industry needs.
The city government is also strengthening workforce development programs, supporting local entrepreneurs and pursuing investments that can generate additional employment.
The October 29 conference served as a platform for government, academic and business leaders to address workforce challenges and identify opportunities for stronger industry-education partnerships.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City PESO has earned Hall of Fame recognition as a Best Performing PESO for its implementation of employment programs.
Treñas maintained that the city’s economic success should ultimately be measured by its ability to create sustainable jobs, improve livelihoods and ensure that more Ilonggos share in the benefits of continued growth./PN
