ILOILO City – This southern city continues to embody its renowned “Wakanda spirit” even after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
Years later, Iloilo City remains a model of resilience, courage and unity, showcasing that the enduring spirit of the Ilonggos is not only about overcoming challenges but also about fostering meaningful progress and sustainable development.
“We have shown everyone the strength of our unity as one Ilonggo community — overcoming adversity and achieving the progress we aspired for. We will continue to strive to bring even greater success to our beloved city,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
When the pandemic struck in March 2020, Iloilo City stood out for its proactive and community-driven response, eventually earning admiration and the moniker “Wakanda of the Philippines”.
Wakanda is a fictional advanced African nation in the blockbuster superhero movie “Black Panther”. This nation and its people represent unity, strength, innovation, and perseverance — themes that have resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
During the pandemic, the city government under Treñas acted swiftly, implementing measures that set the city apart from others.
Early lockdowns, mass testing initiatives, and the establishment of a COVID-19 testing facility showcased the city’s preparedness. The city government also collaborated with businesses to obtain additional test kits to ensure the safety of its residents.
A state-of-the-art COVID-19 laboratory and a 1,000-bed capacity isolation dormitory were constructed to support pandemic response efforts. Dedicated dormitories were also provided to accommodate frontliners and individuals afflicted with COVID-19.
Transportation was arranged for frontliners, with buses made available to help them report to work without difficulty.
To address the needs of the community, sacks of rice, canned goods, and boxes of essential food items — including noodles, milk, coffee, and sugar — were distributed to every family.
“Many looked up to Iloilo, especially during the COVID-19 time. We became a model, and that happened not because of just one person but because of our collective effort,” he said.
The city’s efforts extended beyond healthcare.
Creative solutions, such as converting a ship into temporary lodging for frontliners and designing morale-boosting personal protective equipment (PPE), highlighted the community’s ingenuity.
Financial assistance of P5,000 each was extended to 60 market vendors, providing them with much-needed support during these challenging times.
The city’s anti-discrimination ordinance was also amended to protect healthcare workers from stigma. This amendment specifically prohibits businesses in Iloilo City from discriminating against individuals in the health sector, particularly those involved in combating the spread of the coronavirus.
Reflecting on the tough days of the pandemic, the city mayor said Iloilo City is proud of the programs that made a significant difference.
As a volunteer, the mayor’s daughter, Raisa, mobilized 240 Uswag Community Kitchens serving around 2.2 million free meals for Ilonggo families in 180 barangays during the entire duration of the lockdown.
Meanwhile, his wife, Rosalie, spearheaded efforts to prepare meals for medical frontliners, border guards, security personnel, and essential government workers during the pandemic. Through the Uswag Kitchen Patrol, a total of 92,749 meals were provided to the frontliners by mobilizing their own business staff and volunteers.
In addition to generous donations from the private sector, the community kitchens utilized fresh ingredients such as vegetables sourced from barangay communal gardens, known as JPT Ediscapes. Everyone in the community, including Day Care Workers, worked together to cook and distribute meals to those in need.
Likewise, Ilonggo bakeries and milling firms teamed up with the city government to produce the Ilonggo Pandesal, distributing 1.7 million pieces for free to city residents.
Another remarkable initiative was the launch of the Ilonggo Artists Against COVID-19 movement. Through this campaign, Ilonggo artists were united to sell their works, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to funding a face mask production project.
This initiative employed over 100 sewers, including women and members of the LGBTQ community, to produce hundreds of thousands of face masks — providing an essential layer of protection against the virus.
“These initiatives have left a lasting mark, and witnessing their positive impact inspires us to continue creating programs that bring meaningful change to the lives of the Ilonggos,” said Treñas.
WAKANDA SPIRIT POST-PANDEMIC
Even in the post-pandemic era, the vibrant city in Western Visayas continues to demonstrate its indomitable strength and forward-thinking vision, proving that its unique brand of ingenuity remains alive and well.
Under Treñas’ leadership, Ilonggos consistently embrace the “Wakanda spirit,” particularly in their dedication to fostering progress.
Iloilo City has experienced a remarkable transformation, with billions of pesos invested in infrastructure projects, enhanced public services, and initiatives to spur economic growth.
The city demonstrated remarkable excellence and resilience amidst the challenges brought by the pandemic, as evidenced by numerous prestigious awards and recognitions.
These include being ranked among the Philippines’ Top 5 Most Competitive Cities and recognized as the Most Business-Friendly Highly Urbanized City, ranking first outside the National Capital Region (NCR).
It was also honored as a Creative City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and received the ASEAN Smoke-Free City Gold Award.
The city’s innovative programs were celebrated as well, such as being a Galing Pook Award winner for the I-Bike Program, a 2023 and 2024 Galing Pook Award finalist for the Iloilo City Sports Academy, and a Walang Gutom Awards 2024 finalist for the anti-hunger initiative RISE-A-FARM.
The city also earned accolades for its commitment to disaster risk reduction (DRR), winning the Gawad KALASAG Awards for Excellence in DRR Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
Further recognition includes the Livable City Award, being a two-time Top Gold Awardee for the Most Bike-Friendly City in the country, the 2021 Bike Lane Awards winner, and earning a spot as one of the Top 18 Fitness-Friendly Cities in the world, among many other distinctions.
Iloilo City may not have vibranium, but its most precious resource — its people — continues to drive it toward greatness.
Indeed, the Wakanda spirit lives on in the heart of Iloilo City, inspiring hope, progress, and unity for generations to come./PN
