City Mayor Denies Credit Grabbing Over Iloilo Airport

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has denied allegations that he took credit for the privatization of Iloilo International Airport, emphasizing that his role as chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) is to oversee and facilitate infrastructure projects, not claim ownership of them.

“As chairman of the IDC of the RDC, I have been following up on various infrastructure projects, including the privatization of Iloilo International Port, the status of the flyovers, the Panay River Basin Project in Capiz, the privatization of Iloilo International Airport, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge, the completion of the Jalaur Dam and irrigation canal, and the additional water supply for Iloilo City, among many other projects in other provinces,” Treñas said in a statement on Feb. 20.

He stressed that all these projects are government-funded and exist because of taxpayer contributions.

“Never have I taken credit for any project… As mayor and chair of the RDC Infrastructure Committee, I am the number one sulugo-on and taga-follow up. All records of the RDC Infrastructure Committee will attest to this,” he added.

Treñas dismissed statements from his political opponents as misleading.

“The statement coming from the other camp is completely off-tangent. I feel sorry for all of you in the sour grapes team,” he said.

His clarification comes amid ongoing discussions on the planned privatization of Iloilo International Airport and other major infrastructure projects in the region.

The PHP21-billion rehabilitation of Iloilo International Airport is awaiting approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee.

The project aims to modernize facilities, enhance operations, and solidify Iloilo as a business and tourism hub.

Credit Grabbing Allegations

Coinciding with Treñas’ statement, a newly created Facebook page named “Iloilo Insight” (created on Feb. 19 with 228 followers) posted a critical take at 12:43 p.m., hours before his response.

The post, which had 117 reactions, 108 comments, and 77 shares as of writing, accused him of double standards.

“He has no problem taking credit for the privatization and upgrade of Iloilo International Airport, which was done outside his jurisdiction, and painting himself as a pro-progress mayor. But when it comes to the Ungka Flyover, a much-needed project that directly affects the lives of the people in Iloilo City, he refuses to take any responsibility for it and says it is ‘not part of the city,’” the post read.

The post further alleged that Treñas prioritizes projects that boost his public image over those with immediate impact on his constituents.