ILOILO CITY – United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson lauded Iloilo City’s forward-thinking approach to sustainable development and governance during her visit on January 17.
In meetings with Mayor Jerry Treñas and city officials, Carlson emphasized how Iloilo City’s strategic use of partnerships, particularly with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has created ripple effects across critical sectors like education, environmental sustainability, and business innovation.
The ambassador singled out the Iloilo River Development Master Plan, which USAID helped craft, as a landmark example of urban resilience.
This plan catalyzed the creation of the iconic Iloilo Esplanade, transforming a degraded river into a dynamic public space and a model for ecological conservation.
It’s a blueprint for how cities can reclaim natural assets for public benefit, Carlson noted.
Iloilo City’s integration of USAID’s Urban Connect Project has revolutionized business permitting processes, demonstrating efficiency and transparency in governance. By modernizing systems, the city has streamlined services for its citizens and entrepreneurs alike.
Meanwhile, in education, USAID’s Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines program has helped boost literacy and math skills among schoolchildren. With Iloilo City already boasting the highest literacy rate in Western Visayas at 94 percent, Treñas shared the city’s aspiration to achieve universal literacy.
Carlson further expressed excitement about experiencing Iloilo’s rich culinary offerings as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, showcasing how the city’s development extends beyond infrastructure into cultural preservation and tourism. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
