ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas of this southern city has exemplified transformative leadership, turning his vision of inclusive development into tangible and impactful results since his return as local chief executive in 2019.
In nearly six years, his administration has accomplished the construction of over P7-billion worth of infrastructure projects, with the majority already successfully completed, while the rest remain in progress.
These initiatives span various categories, including vertical structures, electrical systems, roads, drainage, public markets, plazas, the Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARE) Centers, special projects, and programs funded by the Special Education Fund (SEF).
Treñas underscored that these initiatives reflect the city government’s gratitude and as a way of giving back to its citizens and all stakeholders who have contributed to the city’s successes.
“We are fully committed to delivering accessible and high-quality services to our people through these impactful projects. These initiatives represent our way of giving back to our residents and our partners in the business community. The success we see today is a direct result of the unwavering support they have extended to the city government — through their commitment and diligence in fulfilling their responsibilities, including paying their taxes,” the city mayor expressed.
Broken down annually, the Treñas administration allocated a total of P530 million in 2019, P996 million in 2020, P2.5 billion in 2021, P1.2 billion in 2022, P915 million in 2023, and P885 million in 2024.
Education-related infrastructure — such as school buildings and educational facilities funded by the SEF — received the largest allocation, amounting to P2 billion. This was followed by vertical structures at P1.8 billion, roads at P992 million, markets at P947 million, drainages at P378 million, plazas at P348 million, the ICARE Centers at P228 million, special projects at P219 million, and electrical infrastructure at P28 million.
SEF
SEF funds various infrastructure projects across public schools within the metropolis, from Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) day care centers to elementary and high schools.
These include the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of multi-storey school buildings, classrooms, and other educational facilities.
Likewise, projects cover the development of school flood control systems, vehicle and pedestrian facilities, handwashing stations, Nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Development Training Centers, and the upgrading of electrical systems in schools, often incorporating solar lighting for sustainability.
The yearly allocation for school infrastructure projects has shown consistent growth, with the budget increasing from P247 million in 2019 to P344 million in 2020, P319 million in 2021, P383 million in 2022, P326 million in 2023, and P348 million in 2024.
VERTICAL AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Under vertical infrastructure, the allocations funded several key projects, including the completion of the city’s first dialysis center in Barangay East Baluarte, Molo, and a second, larger dialysis center in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro.
Other key vertical projects include the construction of a three-storey government center at Arsenal-Aduana; the Multi-Level Parking Building at Legaspi-Dela Rama; the Legislative Building across City Hall; the Iloilo City Hospital including its site development; the Mental Wellness Building; the Community Center in La Paz; the City Veterinarian’s Office; the Iloilo City Slaughterhouse; the Jaro Police Station; and the Iloilo Fire Station.
Other notable projects include the extension offices on the 8th floor of the City Hall building, youth centers, multi-purpose halls, and health centers across various barangays, among others.
Meanwhile, under special projects, initiatives included the construction of the COVID-19 Laboratory and Dormitory, the redevelopment of Plaza Libertad, the Resilient Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center, rainwater harvesting facilities in 17 barangays, and various structures under the Peace and Order Program.
ROADS AND DRAINAGES
For road projects, the Treñas administration allocated P53 million in 2019, P138 million in 2020, P128 million in 2021, P217 million in 2022, P203 million in 2023, and P250 million in 2025.
These allocations supported the construction, rehabilitation, and widening of roads, as well as public alleys, seawalls, footbridges, sidewalks, and farm-to-market roads, benefiting different barangays across the city. Notably, the road projects also included the development of citywide bike lanes, particularly the university loop.
Meanwhile, for drainage projects, different barangays benefitted from the P31 million allocation in 2019, P34 million allocation in 2020, P56 million allocation in 2021, P136 million allocation in 2022, P98 million allocation in 2023, and P20 million allocation in 2024.
ICARE, PLAZAS AND MARKETS
With the allocated budget, both Ilonggos and visitors can now enjoy the improved and beautified district plazas of Jaro, La Paz, Arevalo, Molo, Plaza Libertad, and Mandurriao.
Meanwhile, vendors and market-goers will soon benefit from a cleaner and more comfortable marketplace experience as the rehabilitation of the public markets in Arevalo, La Paz, and Jaro is currently underway.
Since 2019, the city government has also established nine ICARE Centers in strategically selected locations.
These include Gaisano City Center, which serves as the main command center, along with Calumpang, Ungka, Tanza Esperanza, Nabitasan, Megaworld, Taal, and So-oc.
While most centers have already been completed, the ICARE-Megaworld is still under construction and has reached 67 percent completion.
To note, the over P7 billion worth of infrastructure projects within six years already includes a P1.75 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to support other development initiatives.
Of the total loan, P940 million — exclusively allocated for public market rehabilitation – particularly covering P395 million for Jaro Big Public Market, P150 million for Arevalo Public Market, and P395 million for La Paz Public Market.
Other projects are the ongoing construction of a six-storey parking facility and the establishment of the Iloilo City Hospital.
“We uphold our commitment to transparency and prudent financial management to guarantee that these projects truly serve the people of Iloilo City while safeguarding the city’s fiscal stability,” Treñas emphasized./PN
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THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING. The Iloilo City Legislative Building is just one of landmark infrastructure projects realized under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Treñas. A symbol of progress and effective governance, this modern facility, valued at P246.89 million and financed through the city’s general fund and without any loan, is envisioned to streamline legislative processes and provide a more conducive environment for public service.
