Baronda urges Treñas-Chu to apply fairness in governance

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda reminded Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu that good governance “must not be selective,” urging the city to apply the same standards of accountability to its own projects—not only those funded by the national government.

“Good governance must be for all Ilonggos,” Baronda said.

“If it is only for the selected few, then it is just a political slogan. If we don’t listen to the people and their needs, it’s just a phrase used to serve selfish interests.”

Baronda was reacting to Treñas-Chu’s first State of the City Address, where the mayor demanded accountability for allegedly delayed and substandard flood control projects linked to Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, the vice mayor’s sister.

“Kon may palpak kag delayed nga proyekto pareho sang flood control nga rason sang pagbaha—dapat may manabat. Indi na dapat magpabaya! This is not the Ilonggo way. Our way is Rise to Action—madasig, epektibo, kag aksyon gilayon,” Treñas-Chu said.

The phrase “palpak and delayed” was originally used by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in an August Facebook post after inspecting two flood control sections in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro.

The post has since been deleted for unknown reasons.

After Marcos’ remarks, the city government began citing his statement to question projects implemented by the Iloilo City District Engineering Office and funded by the congresswoman.

Baronda said she supports accountability, emphasizing the public has the right to know if projects were indeed delayed or ineffective.

“What I want the public to know is that we should not be selective,” she said.

She stressed that the city government should also hold itself accountable for poorly implemented projects under its own jurisdiction.

The vice mayor also criticized Treñas-Chu for allegedly failing to address major concerns in her address.

She cited the rising real property taxes despite a 40 percent discount effective until 2028 and worsening traffic along key city roads.

Baronda also expressed concern over the city’s continued failure to approve staff appointments for her office and that of Councilor Sheen Mabilog under the Coordinated Executive Sangguniang Panglungsod Efforts for the Development of Iloilo City (CESPEDIC) program.

CESPEDIC allocates funds primarily for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, including staff salaries, to support councilors’ development programs.

In 2025, the Iloilo City Council allocated more than PHP 74.5 million for CESPEDIC.

However, the program’s implementation is administered through the Office of the City Mayor, which has discretion over fund releases, contract approvals, and staffing appointments.

“Ngaa wala ginaaprubahan sang city hall ang staff namon ni Councilor Sheen Mabilog under CESPEDIC?” Baronda asked.

“Hindi bala parte sang good governance nga may mga staff ang public servants who are members of the opposition?”

Baronda said that if Treñas-Chu’s version of good governance is selective, then “it is just politics.”

She added that she hopes the administration’s programs will be sustainable and aligned with existing legislation.

Baronda said the City Council will now work on refining its legislative agenda following the recent Executive-Legislative Agenda meeting.

She said the council will revisit its priorities to ensure they support the mayor’s three pillars of governance.