ILOILO City – For Mayor Jerry Treñas, it was the Ilonggos’ unwavering brand of bayanihan spirit that kept the city intact and resilient despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Help from all sectors was overwhelming. It was the help coming from everyone that kept us all intact and resilient,” Treñas said in a virtual State of City Address (SOCA) early evening yesterday, his second since his election last year.
Treñas’ SOCA, which lasted less than an hour, was broadcasted in his official Facebook page.
He outlined some of the administration’s accomplishments in the last 12 months. These were the following:
* Iloilo City was acknowledged the 8th safest city in Southeast Asia by a recognized online survey site that provides information about the living conditions of cities and countries
* The City Risk Reduction and Management Council was also cited as the Best in Western Visayas during the 21st Gawad Kalasag Awarding Ceremony
* USWAG Scholarship Program granted an initial of 20 scholarships for Iloilo City daycare teachers for Diploma in Early Childhood Education at West Visayas State University
* Construction of Dialysis Center in Barangay East Baluarte, Molo district
* Purchase of instruction materials for daycare centers worth more than P3.5M funded from Local School Board Supplemental Budget No. 2
* Fast-tracking of P300-M worth of projects under Special Education Fund
* Iloilo City was named one of the three Philippine winners to receive the ASEAN Clean Tourist Award for 2020-2022
* The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized Iloilo City as the Most Business-Friendly Highly Urbanized City outside Metro Manila, besting 15 other finalists.
This may not be the best time to celebrate accomplishments, according to Treñas but he said: “Let us not allow this pandemic to devalue the hard work and determination we all have poured into bringing Iloilo City to the next level.”
Aside from presenting the feats of his administration, Treñas also highlighted the city government’s initiatives in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
These were the following:
* USWAG Community Kitchens,
* USWAG Kitchen Patrol
* USWAG Dorm,
* USWAG Rolling Store
* Ilonggo Pandesal
* Ilonggo Artists Against COVID-19
* USWAG Sewers
* USWAG Bike Sharing
* Iloilo United Volunteers
* Mass Testing
Treñas cited, too, the cooperation extended by Ilonggo businessmen to the city government. Aside from helping produce Ilonggo pandesal, he said, they also donated COVID-19 test kits.
Iloilo City has been under varying levels of community quarantine since March – enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine.
“We restarted the economy when we shifted to ECQ because we cannot forever provide for everyone, and if we do not do anything for the economy to recuperate, many of us will suffer,” said Treñas.
With the reopening of businesses, the city’s chief executive reiterated his appeal for Ilonggos to observe preventive measures against COVID-19.
“Let’s cooperate with our authorities in following protocols and guidelines. Let us not jeopardize all the efforts of our local government unit with our negligence or egoistic reasons,” Treñas pointed out.
He mentioned the incident in one of the hospitals in the city where some doctors got infected with the viral illness.
“That is something we do not want to happen again,” the mayor stressed.
Treñas ended his speech with this assurance to the public: “As we continue with our fight against the invisible enemy, please remember that I am here for all of you.”
“As long as I am here, as your father, as long as you have your trust in me, as long as you continue to do your own little share, Iloilo City will be safe,” he added./PN
