Iloilo City launches wellness, market training for Ilonggos

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu has rolled out two flagship initiatives aimed at improving the well-being and economic resilience of Ilonggos, as part of her first 100-day agenda.

On Aug. 4, Treñas-Chu launched the USGWAPS Program (Uplifting Self-Grooming, Wellness, and Public Service), a mobile outreach effort designed to bring self-care services and basic public support directly to underserved communities.

Speaking at the kick-off in Veterans Village, City Proper, the mayor emphasized the importance of self-care as a basic, but often neglected, need.

“It’s a simple service, but for some Ilonggos, it’s not something they can easily afford. For others, it’s not a spending priority. That’s why we’re bringing these services closer to our people,” Treñas-Chu said.

“This program is also about boosting self-worth, which directly impacts our mental health,” she added.

USGWAPS offers free haircuts, manicures, pedicures, and massage therapy.

It also provides essential services such as free legal advice through the Kamalayan Legal Clinic & Forum, scholarship opportunities from UI Phinma, basic health checkups, and family planning support.

Even before its formal citywide launch, USGWAPS had already reached 2,542 Ilonggos across 23 barangays.

Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with per-session targets of 100 haircuts, 30 massages, and 20 manicures or pedicures.

Meanwhile, from Aug. 4 to 8, over 1,500 market vendors are expected to attend daily training sessions at Diamond Jubilee Hall.

The sessions are part of the city’s accelerated Uswag Negosyo Academy and the Sustainable Income Generation through Entrepreneurship program.

These half-day seminars cover key business topics such as food safety and handling, visual merchandising, and financial literacy — including pricing, costing, savings, and investments.

“A one-time aid is only temporary. What you receive today might be gone by tomorrow. That’s why the Iloilo City government is creating programs to help strengthen your businesses. Because if your business thrives and continues, your progress will also continue,” Treñas-Chu told participants.

Each session features a financial services desk managed by the Bankers Association of Iloilo, offering help with bank account opening, loan applications, and e-wallet registrations in partnership with GCash and BDO Foundation.

The training serves as a preparatory phase ahead of the reopening of Iloilo’s modernized public markets.

These initiatives are part of nearly 50 programs Treñas-Chu plans to roll out in her first 100 days under the RISE TO ACTION campaign.