‘ILOILO CITY ON THE RIGHT TRACK’: Ilonggos inspired Cebu, biz exec says

Iloilo City is on the right track as it continues to invest in areas of urban planning, green and sustainable projects while it moves towards economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a top business executive.

Gordon Alan Joseph, president of the Cebu Leads Foundation and chairman of Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) Research Program and Organizational Development (RPOD), said there is a premium demand for livable and competitive cities globally.

Joseph made the observation in his speech during the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) forum Thursday, June 2, 2022.

He commended the competitiveness of Iloilo, adding that its fast growth and development have inspired them in Cebu.

“In Cebu, you have been one of our examples. Believe it or not, in Cebu you have been an inspiration because we have seen how fast you guys move, once you decide to move and decide where to move,” he said.

Joseph, who chairs the planning and development board in Metro Cebu and the previous chairman of the Infrastructure Committee of the Regional Development Council of Region 7, explained that there is a need for local government units (LGUs) to focus on urban planning and green and sustainable projects to attract more investments.

He said Iloilo City is on the right track towards its economic recovery and development as it continues to invest in becoming a smart, sustainable, and resilient city while focusing on urban planning.

“Urban planning will create competitiveness, drive investments, and then it will drive job creation, and poverty alleviation. And here in Iloilo, you are on the right track. You are grabbing the bull by the horns. Investors want a smart, green, sustainable, and resilient city. Investors want prosperous and liveable cities,” he added.

Joseph also highlighted the need for political unity and inter-LGU collaboration to solve trans-boundary urban issues and hasten the implementation of projects and programs towards development.

“There is a need for political unity. In Cebu, we encountered problems on program implementation.  Many politicians are not talking with each other. They cannot agree in deciding matters. It’s something we do not see in Iloilo, we see the response of MIGEDC,” he said.

Joseph was among the key speakers during the MIGEDC Project Steering Committee Forum on Thursday.

In his message, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas who also chairs the MIGEDC, said that the forum aims to help the city and other member LGUs of the MIGEDC bounce back and cope with the challenges of the new normal.

“Today we rally with the common goal and shared commitment to exhaust all possible ways for economic bounce back for businesses to recuperate, for us to cope with the work setup in the normal and to reassure investors that there is a bright future for them here in Iloilo and Guimaras. Let us renew our commitment and let us get our acts together to make MIGEDC even stronger, more vibrant, more attractive to live, work, and to invest in,” he said.

MIGEDC is an alliance of LGUs that was created thru Presidential Executive Order No. 559 series of 2006 in order to formulate, coordinate and monitor programs, projects and activities for the acceleration of economic growth and development for its LGU members.

The alliance focuses on urbanization and its related environmental, socio-economic, and urban governance issues.

Currently, it is composed of Iloilo City, Pavia, Oton, Leganes, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, San Miguel and province of Guimaras. (DG)