ILOILO City – “We must stand and work together shoulder-to-shoulder to reclaim the title ‘Queen City of the South’ which we lost a century ago.”
This is the crux of Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon’s message to the Ilonggos during the inauguration yesterday of incoming mayor Jerry Treñas.
He pressed for an all-inclusive development of this city as he assured support to the administration of Treñas.
“We shall continue our efforts to bring Iloilo back to its former glory through a holistic approach to development by increasing infrastructures and commercial activities which boost employment, among others,” said Drilon, the inauguration guest speaker at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district.
Incoming congresswoman Julienne Baronda and vice mayor Jeffrey Ganzon also took their oaths of office yesterday.
“Lead the way, Mr. Mayor and we will follow. We have full faith and trust in your leadership. We commit our support,” declared Drilon as he stressed the importance of a united leadership in the city.
Drilon recalled how, in 2016, local officials continued to work hard despite the “uncalled for” labeling of Iloilo as “most shabulized” in the country by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte. They were not demoralized or discouraged, he stressed.
“Together, with then congressman and now Mayor-elect Treñas and the people of Iloilo, we worked silently, never losing focus,” said Drilon.
The senator cited some big strides Iloilo City made in the past three years such as the following:
* revitalization of Iloilo River and construction of a river esplanade that has now become a major tourist destination and model of urban development
* restoration of Sunburst Park
* widening of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) with bike lane
* construction of the Corazon Aquino Avenue circumferential road
* commencement of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II that will be completed by 2022
* erection of the Iloilo Convention Center
* restoration of historical buildings and heritage sites
* revitalization of Iloilo art and culture
“Indeed for the past three years we have made huge strides with Cong. Jerry Treñas in our effort to make Iloilo a world-class city,” said Drilon.
He announced a plan to renovate the Iloilo Customs House and convert it into a maritime museum and war memorial museum to honor Iloilo’s war veterans.
Drilon urged Treñas and other elected officials of the city to addressing promptly some challenges that stand on the way of Iloilo’s development such as the power situation in the city and the water distribution problem.
“We will follow your lead in improving our core facilities which Iloilo needs if we are to sustain our economic growth. We are truly behind you in your effort to position our city as prime destination for meetings, conferences and exhibits,” said Drilon.
Heeding the senator’s call for unity, Treñas declared in his inaugural speech: “I am no longer the mayor only of those who voted for me. I am also the mayor of those who did not vote for me. Honestly, I find it very difficult and very challenging given the viciousness of this campaign.”
“Let us all build bridges instead of walls, and inspire collaborations. If we continue to walk united as one people, we can maximize our potentials and bring Iloilo City to the next level and ensure that we become one of the three most livable highly urbanized cities by 2028,” said Treñas./PN
The most important thing to develop and improve the City Infrastructure is the stability of Potable Water System Electric Power Generation, Communication and improved Transportation for the growing future needs as the population grows. The current MIWD Water System should tap the lloilo Jalaur water Dam when complete as it’s additional water source instead of relaying from smaller Deep Well sources for power and cost savings end. Future Electric Power Generations should concentrate to tap renewable energy sources such as Wind and Solar Power Generation. Iloilo should stay limit the use Coal and Fossil Oil Fuel for future reliance in Electrical power generation. The use of these fuels contributes to Global Warming and Climate Change that causes impact our environment and life. Renewable energy are free and that will bring production of cheaper electricity than coal and oil based fuels. Cheaper electricity will bring economic boom and entice more businesses to come, invest and do business in ILOILO