With its various developmental undertakings, some of which have reaped awards, Iloilo City is clearly on the track towards becoming one of the Top 5 Most Livable Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines by 2028.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government, with the support of various stakeholders, continues to soar to bring Iloilo City to the next level through sustainable projects and programs anchored on his W.H.E.E.L.S. (Welfare, Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood, Sustainability) road map for inclusive development.
To achieve the goal, the city mayor underscored that development must be holistic. This is why, aside from building vertical infrastructure, the focus also includes “horizontal” projects and programs that strengthen the city’s urban planning and execution.
Environment-friendly initiatives such as having “green spaces” all over the metro were launched, as well as the conduct of regular city-wide cleanup drives, tree planting and the Tree Park Network Project.
These green spaces compliment the earlier established tangible developments in the city such as road – widening projects, the beautiful esplanade, and the protected bike lanes.
Adding to these initiatives is the makeover of all the city’s six public plazas for the people to enjoy.
“We intentionally aim to balance our infrastructure developments in the hope of making the city urbanized yet livable for all Ilonggos,” said Treñas.
The city’s public markets, including its two biggest – Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market – are currently undergoing rehabilitation to provide conducive space for commerce and better livelihood opportunities for vendors.
For 2023, the city mayor said aims to strengthen the bureaucracy by helping each department at city hall produce output beneficial to the people.
The city mayor said it is not enough to just do “business as usual”; city hall departments and offices should shape up, be very focused and reinvigorated in carrying out their tasks.
“Kinanglan buligan sang aton city government nga ang aton kada department may mga output gid sila para sa aton mga pumoluyo. We will be more accessible to everyone,” he said.
He emphasized that the city’s thrust is really to help residents who are in need.
He also cited various projects of the city government such as the dialysis centers, center for the mentally-ill, nutrition center, off-site centers, ICARE, among others.
“Iloilo City continues to transform into a smart city as we go digital,” the city mayor said.
Recently, the Project Lungsod or Lungsod Connect Iloilo, an all-in-one citizen app, was launched. Through it, the city can act on emergencies and issues reported by the community; promote local tourism; ease of access for e-government modules, and present City Hall services.
“Sige-sige na ang aton mga program. Ang sunod ta is really to strengthen our personnel para ang ini nga mga programs nga ara na ma kay-o pa gid naton,” he added./PN
