ILOILO CITY CELEBRATES CHARTER DAY: LGU pushes for stronger collaboration and partnerships

Iloilo City marks its 85th Charter anniversary today, August 25, 2022, with a stronger commitment to collaboration and partnerships.

The theme, FORGING STRONGER TIES IN THE COMMUNITY, is most apt in the light of recent developments that signaled Iloilo City’s strong and determined rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even before the global health crisis, the city government created a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) selection team that will handle projects that may be undertaken or entered into with the private sector.

In an Executive Order issued in 2019, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas identified potential PPP improvements including the city slaughterhouse, public markets, waste-to-energy, mixed-use horizontal development complex, and sports arena.

“There is a need to fast-track the implementation of PPP programs and projects to accelerate the infrastructure development of the city and sustain economic growth,” according to Treñas, who also chairs the team.

PPP is in accordance with Republic Act No. 7718 or the “Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and for Other Purposes, otherwise known as the Build-Operate-and-Transfer (BOT) Law.”

It provides the most appropriate incentives to mobilize private resources for purpose of financing the construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure and development projects normally financed and undertaken by the government.

The city’s forays into PPP programs and projects earned plaudits from various stakeholders. So far, 51 organizations and individuals from the political, business, socio-civic, and other sectors lauded the markets redevelopment project which has become a model for other local government units.

One of the city’s significant collaborations, the city has partnered with SM Development Corp (SMDC) in a socialized housing project as part of the latter’s commitment to building a nation of homeowners.

The Uswag Low-Rise Residential Building, a P247-million socialized housing project in partnership with the City Government of Iloilo, was unveiled in a groundbreaking ceremony held at the site development in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City on Nov 4, 2021.

SMDC President Jose Mari Banzon was joined by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas.

The project will have 120 residential units to be awarded by the city government to beneficiaries through a usufruct arrangement. It will consist of two twin 4-storey low-rise buildings built on a 2,741-square meter lot owned by the local government.

The 120-unit low-rise condominium will be exclusive to low-salaried City Hall employees, particularly regular employees in Salary Grade 8 and below, with at least five years of service as a regular employee by Dec. 31, 2021.

On August 22, the City and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Iloilo Chapter hosted “What’s Up Iloilo” which focused on up-and-coming business prospects for the city and province.

Top leaders from the real estate, digital economy, and other industries gathered to discuss what Iloilo City can offer to investors who are on the lookout for business-friendly and competitive areas of expansion.

KICKOFF

The Iloilo City Government continues its partnership with the private sector such as the kick-off of this year’s Charter Day on August 24 at SM City Iloilo.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas lead the event that will usher in various Charter Day activities in the mall which include:

-the Iloilo Big Sale on August 21-31 that offers up to 8o percent discount on selected items;

-the Iloilo Business Exposé on August 24 – 28 at the North Point near Cafe Iloilo

-the first COFFEE FESTIVAL on August 24 – 28 at the North Point Event Center; and

-KAPUSO MALL SHOW on August 25 at the South Point.

SMCI also hosted the Arnis tournament last August 20 to 21 at the North Point near Ace Hardware and the Charter Day run on August 21.