ILOILO City – This city continues its upward trajectory under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Treñas, boasting substantial economic growth, significant infrastructural advancements, and numerous awards.
Mayor Treñas, nearing the end of his six-year tenure, has steered Iloilo City to become a key player in the Visayas and nationwide.
But more is yet to come.
“We will not rest on our laurels, as we have plenty of plans and projects that will address the welfare and interests of our residents,” said Treñas.
Recently, Iloilo City was named the most competitive highly urbanized city outside Metro Manila, securing the fourth spot overall in the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).
It also excelled in government efficiency and economic improvements, including a notable rise in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita to P306,444 in 2022, surpassing the national average of P178,751.
The “City of Love” also achieved international recognition as UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) first Philippine City of Gastronomy, reflecting its rich culinary heritage.
Locally, its innovative I-Bike Program earned the 2022 Galing Pook Award, promoting a sustainable transport culture.
On the investment front, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recognized Iloilo City as the 2023 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit. Its safety and business-friendly environment contributed to it being named the 8th Safest City in Southeast Asia.
A significant focus for Mayor Treñas is infrastructural development, including a strategic public-private partnership with SM Prime Holdings for the redevelopment of the Central and Terminal Markets.
This project, expected to conclude by December 2024, aims to revitalize these spaces, enhancing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and vendors.
It is anticipated that these markets will host around 3,000 stalls, significantly benefiting local market vendors and farmers.
“I really understand the problems of our public markets. The floors are wet. When it rains, water enters. The drainage is smelly. There is really a need to fix our public markets,” Treñas said. “That’s why I saw the need to renovate our public markets so that we can give more opportunities to our small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.”
Mayor Treña s reiterated that he is committed to continuous improvements in governance and local economy.
“In my almost six years as mayor, Iloilo City has achieved plenty of accomplishments and has made great strides in terms of economic and infrastructure growth. This immense growth has allowed us to further intensify our delivery of services to our constituents,” said Treñas said.
Iloilo City bagged second place in Government Efficiency in the highly urbanized city category and ranked fifth as the most improved ranking in the highly urbanized city division.
According to the first-ever Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) involving 16 pilot regions outside the National Capital Region, the city also placed fourth among 10 provinces and highly urbanized cities in terms of GDP, or the average contribution of individuals to an economy’s output for a certain period (in 2022, there was a significant increase in GDP — 9.6 percent valued at P145.05 billion, from 6.8 percent the previous year).
“These recognitions are a testament to our hard work and our fervent aspiration to further improve our governance and our local economy for the benefit of all Ilonggos,” said Mayor Treñas./PN
