ILOILO CITY PUTS HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AT THE HEART OF PROPOSED 2027 BUDGET

ILOILO CITY – Greater access to healthcare, expanded educational opportunities, and stronger social support programs are among the priorities of the Iloilo City Government under its proposed 2027 budget, reflecting the administration’s push to direct more resources toward services that make a difference in the everyday lives of Ilonggos.

Under the leadership of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, the city is looking to sustain and expand programs that help families cope with medical expenses, provide students with better learning opportunities, and bring essential services closer to communities.

“We have proven this year how these programs have helped our people. And as promised, padayon naton nga i-expand kag i-strengthen ang ini nga mga programa kag serbisyo para mas madamo pa nga Ilonggo ang makabenepisyo kag mas masabat naton ang ila mga kinahanglanon,” Treñas said.

Healthcare assistance remains a major component of the proposed spending plan, with PHP 145 million allocated for medical assistance, hospitalization, laboratory procedures, and medicines.

Of this amount, PHP 30 million is proposed for the Health Assistance sa Pumuluyo, Laboratory kag Ospital Serbis (HAPLOS), PHP 50 million for the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), and PHP 65 million for drugs and medicines through the City Health Office.

Implemented through the Atipan Center, an additional PHP 25.5 million is proposed for MediSen+, the city’s free maintenance medicine program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The program aims to ease the financial burden of beneficiaries who depend on maintenance medicines for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Distribution of free maintenance medicines for registered MediSen+ beneficiaries began on Oct. 29 in City Proper.

The succeeding distribution schedules cover Mandurriao and Molo on Nov. 5; La Paz and Lapuz on Nov. 12; Arevalo and Jaro 1 on Nov. 19; and Jaro 2 on Nov. 26.

Based on program registration, 8,008 senior citizens with hypertension and 2,047 PWDs with diabetes are among those enrolled to receive assistance.

“Nagapasalamat gid ko kay Mayor sang daku tungod sa iya mga ginabulig sa amon. Waay ya gd kami ginapabay-an. Subong nga nagapanghatag sang bulong, daku gid ini nga bulig sa amon. Salamat gid Mayor, salamat,” MediSen+ beneficiary Mary Patricio said.

For Treñas, sustaining these initiatives is essential to ensuring that residents have access to government support, particularly when faced with medical emergencies and other difficult circumstances.

Bringing healthcare closer to communities

Beyond financial assistance, the city is also looking to expand healthcare infrastructure and make medical and rehabilitation services more accessible to residents.

Among the proposed initiatives is the establishment of a second Uswag Physical Rehabilitation Center in Jaro, which is expected to accommodate more patients requiring rehabilitation services.

The city is likewise pursuing improvements to its district health facilities, including the Jaro 1 District Health Center, following the opening of the Arevalo Super Health Center.

These upgrades are intended to strengthen the delivery of community-based healthcare, including district pharmacy services and access to essential medicines.

The city is also working on the digitalization of its district pharmacy database to improve the management and delivery of medicines.

Expanding access to education

Education is another major priority under the proposed 2027 budget, with the Special Education Fund (SEF) projected to receive PHP 680 million from the city’s share of real property tax (RPT) collections.

A significant portion of the fund is intended for the construction of additional classrooms and the upgrading of electrical systems in public schools across the city.

This builds on the ongoing construction of 181 classrooms in 2026, part of the city’s efforts to address the need for more conducive learning spaces.

The city is also looking to expand Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) in Molo to accommodate more students and widen access to affordable higher education.

“If we want to solve the issue of poverty, isa gid ya ka bulig ang education — free education for the Ilonggos. Ang aton mga students, once makagraduate, ma-employed sang insakto kag makabulig sa pamilya,” Treñas said.

ICCC currently serves more than 1,300 students at its Molo campus, offering four academic programs covering board and non-board courses.

For many students, the institution provides an opportunity to pursue a college education despite their families’ limited financial resources.

However, its existing capacity also limits the number of new students it can accommodate.

The planned expansion seeks to address this challenge through the construction of additional academic buildings, classrooms, a library, computer laboratories, a clinic, administrative offices, and a covered gym.

These facilities are intended to provide students with more learning spaces and better support facilities while allowing the college to serve more Ilonggo families.

Financial assistance for college students will also continue through the Uswag Scholarship Program, which is proposed to receive PHP 20 million under the 2027 budget to support qualified beneficiaries.

Support for younger learners and children with special needs is likewise included in the city’s education agenda.

The expanded RISEABLE Program, which provides intervention and support services for children with special needs ages 0 to 5, has a proposed allocation of PHP 3.9 million.

The city will also continue implementing Edu-Liit, an initiative focused on early childhood education and development.

Redirecting resources to public services

The proposed allocations come alongside reductions in the Office of the City Mayor’s operating expenses compared with 2026.

Its capital outlay is set to decrease by 60.22%, while its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) will be reduced by 6.8%.

These adjustments reflect the administration’s direction to prioritize programs and services that directly benefit residents, particularly in healthcare, education, and social welfare.

With the proposed 2027 budget placing considerable emphasis on these sectors, the city government aims to strengthen its support for families, improve access to essential services, and create more opportunities for Ilonggos to build better lives. (PR)