HALL OF FAME HONOR REINFORCES MAYOR RAISA’S COMMITMENT TO EVERY ILONGGO ENTREPRENEUR

ILOILO CITY — Helping every business grow and succeed, regardless of size, is Mayor Raisa S. Treñas’ personal advocacy, which she vows to pursue as Iloilo City earns its place in the Hall of Fame of the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Awards.

For Treñas, the recognition is not simply a distinction for the city government but an opportunity to strengthen support for entrepreneurs — from major investors and established companies to sari-sari store owners, carinderias, and nano enterprises striving to build a better future for their families.

“I want to make sure that every business in Iloilo City, regardless of its size, has an opportunity to grow and succeed,” Treñas said, recalling her answer during the final panel interview for the business-friendly LGU award.

“Dako nga dungog para sa Iloilo City nga mabaton ang Hall of Fame Award. Pero ini nga pagkilala indi lamang para sa akon ukon sa Iloilo City Government. Para ini sa aton mga negosyante, investors, MSMEs, business organizations, kag sa tanan nga nagabulig sa pag-uswag sang aton Siyudad,” she added.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) conferred on Iloilo City the 2026 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit award in the Highly Urbanized City category during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at The Manila Hotel on October 14. The city’s victories in 2023, 2025, and 2026 earned it the Hall of Fame distinction.

The mayor emphasized that business-friendly governance must create opportunities not only for large companies and investors but also for smaller enterprises that contribute to the local economy and provide livelihoods in communities.

“Indi lamang ang dalagko nga investors kag companies ang dapat naton buligan. Kinahanglan nga ang aton mga magagmay nga negosyante — ang may sari-sari store, carinderia, food business, kag iban pa nga micro kag nano enterprises — may access man sa suporta sang gobyerno,” Treñas said.

“I want to see our small businesses become bigger businesses,” she added.

To institutionalize this advocacy, the city government is pursuing policies and programs designed to provide sustained support to entrepreneurs, including the Nano Enterprise Incentives Ordinance, the institutionalization of the Negosyo Development Academy, the Nano Food Truck Ordinance, and initiatives for startup development.

For Treñas, helping businesses means more than enabling them to start operations. It also means creating conditions for them to expand, employ more people, and become sustainable sources of income for Ilonggo families.

The business sector likewise underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the local government and private enterprises in achieving inclusive economic growth.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo (PCCI-Iloilo), led by Noi Dongor, welcomed the city’s Hall of Fame recognition, describing it as a reflection of years of hard work, forward-thinking leadership, and a commitment to making Iloilo City a place where businesses can start, survive, grow, and succeed.

The local chamber emphasized that meaningful cooperation between government and the private sector is essential to supporting entrepreneurs, attracting investments, and creating economic opportunities, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PCCI Region 6-Western Visayas Regional Governor Engr. Fulbert C. Woo also highlighted the role of local governments as partners and enablers of economic growth through policies that empower MSMEs, attract investments, and generate employment.

Woo said the achievement reflects the collective efforts of the city government, business community, and other stakeholders in advancing Iloilo City’s economic development.

Meanwhile, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc. (FCCCII) cited the city’s expanded digital business-permitting services, Business One-Stop Shop, cashless payment options, and automated queuing and document-tracking systems as initiatives that make government transactions faster and more accessible.

FCCCII President Engr. Terence S. Uygongco, who also chairs the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED), said the recognition affirms the city’s commitment to responsive governance, innovation, and meaningful cooperation with the business community.

“Iloilo City’s success offers an inspiring example of what the government and private sector can accomplish through cooperation,” Uygongco said.

PCCI Area Vice President for the Visayas Atty. Jobert A. Peñaflorida said the Hall of Fame distinction reinforces Iloilo City’s position as a destination for business, commerce, and investment outside Metro Manila. He credited leadership continuity under former Mayor Jerry Treñas and incumbent Mayor Raisa Treñas, together with the support of the business community, for helping advance the city’s economic development.

The Iloilo Business Club, Inc., led by President Ma Luisa C. Segovia, also congratulated the city government, saying the Hall of Fame recognition reflects Iloilo City’s commitment to good governance, a business-friendly environment, and economic growth. The group also emphasized the importance of continued public-private partnership in creating more opportunities for businesses, investors, and Ilonggos.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also congratulated Mayor Treñas and the city government, describing the three-time achievement as a reflection of policy continuity, stable governance, and the strong foundation established under former Mayor Jerry Treñas and carried forward by the incumbent administration.

“This award is not just about ease of doing business. It is about jobs created, MSMEs empowered, investments realized, and the overall improvement in the quality of life of our people,” Defensor said.

He also affirmed the provincial government’s support for Iloilo City’s economic development initiatives, emphasizing the shared aspiration of building a robust and resilient regional economy that benefits the Ilonggo people.

As Iloilo City celebrates its Hall of Fame distinction, Treñas said the continuing challenge is to ensure that businesses of all sizes have access to opportunities and support.

With stronger public-private partnerships, more responsive services, and sustained assistance for entrepreneurs, the city aims to translate the recognition into stronger local enterprises, more jobs, and economic growth that reaches more Ilonggo families. (PR)