ILOILO City – This southern city, represented by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, was elected to the CityNet Executive Board during the 9th CityNet Congress from Sept. 20 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Iloilo City was earlier nominated as one of the cities all over the Asia-Pacific region to the Executive Board.
“I am happy to announce that Iloilo City was elected No. 2 member of the Executive Board for CityNet for a period of four years,” said Treñas.
For the city mayor, the city’s election to the Executive Board “ensure(s) the voice of Iloilo City will be heard in the biggest Asia-Pacific organization of cities.”
CityNet is the largest association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Established in 1987 with the support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations Development Programme, and United Nations-Habitat, the network of cities has grown to include over 173 municipalities, non-government organizations, private companies, and research centers.
Anchored on the theme, “City for All: Activating Access for Urban Growth,” the CityNet Congress enables cities, local governments, development authorities, and partners from various countries to collaborate closely in order to strategize better services for citizens in accordance with having an ecologically sustainable, economically productive and globally connected city throughout various Asian countries.
Meanwhile, during the assembly, Treñas said he was given the privilege to talk about the city’s efforts to answer the needs of the community, especially on building socialized housing, ensuring that no Ilonggo will be left behind.
The city mayor shared that Iloilo City is in need of 16,000 more housing units.
“I am now embarking on a massive housing program together with the national government,” he told his fellow city mayors from other countries.
Treñas also noted that he got a chance to talk to Kuala Lumpur mayor Mahadi Che Ngah, who shared with him that their city has been engaged in social housing for the past several years.
“There is so much to learn from cities like Kuala Lumpur. We are now looking at post-pandemic programs. We have to address problems and issues on economic recovery, housing and I think the programs presented by the Secretary Genera (Dr. Vijay Jagannathan) readdress the needs of our cities,” Treñas added.
He also emphasized the importance of civil society members in CityNet.
“We have to continue to engage them and continue to learn from them as they learn also from us,” he added.
Treñas also sees a good opportunity through the CityNet Congress to invite mayors and key officials of other Asian cities to visit Iloilo City./PN
