Is a new Iloilo City sports hub finally coming?

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu renewed her push for the development of a long-planned sports center to strengthen the city’s sports program and provide better training facilities for local athletes.

Treñas-Chu expressed optimism that the city could soon begin work on the proposed sports center, although she did not disclose when construction would start, where the facility would be built, or how it would be funded.

The mayor said the proposed sports center is part of the city’s broader effort to improve sports infrastructure following the recognition of Iloilo City’s medalists in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa.

The 2026 Palarong Pambansa, officially the 66th edition of the event, was held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, from May 24 to 31, drawing student-athletes from all 18 regions of the country, with the National Capital Region topping the overall medal tally for a 19th consecutive year.

“Hopefully, we can already start our Sports Center. We are continuing to develop our Sports Plaza, and we are also looking for ways to further improve the gym in La Paz by expanding its seating capacity to more than 1,500 so our athletes will have a better venue for training,” she said Monday, July 6.

Her announcement comes as construction continues on another major sports facility — the PHP 200 million Iloilo City People’s Sports Center at Jalandoni Memorial National High School in Lapuz.

Groundbreaking for the sports center was held in December 2021, led by Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda and Treñas-Chu, who was then serving as executive assistant to the mayor.

The facility is expected to house the proposed Iloilo City Sports Academy once completed.

In May, Baronda announced that the project had entered its third and final phase.

“This multi-year, multi-phase facility is more than just a building; it is a cornerstone of our vision for sports development, designed to serve as a breeding ground for world-caliber athletes and a premier venue for hosting global events,” she said.

The Iloilo City People’s Sports Center was proposed to provide athletes with a modern training venue and enable the city to host larger regional and national sporting competitions, complementing existing sports facilities.

Treñas-Chu also announced plans to develop the YMCA of Iloilo building along Iznart Street into a training center for swimmers.

She said the city also plans to offer free swimming lessons to children as part of its grassroots sports development program.

“We also plan to develop the YMCA so we can offer free swimming training to our children and further strengthen our swimming team,” she said.

Her father and predecessor, then-Mayor Jerry Treñas, acquired the YMCA property after the organization had failed to remit real property taxes to the city government.

He had already announced plans to develop the building into a sports facility during his recent tenure.

Treñas-Chu said the city government is preparing additional programs to promote youth development through sports and strengthen Iloilo City’s pipeline of future athletes.

Winning athletes feted

The Iloilo City Government, also on Monday, honored 64 athletes who won medals in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa by awarding them cash incentives and certificates of recognition.

Gold medalists received PHP 7,000 each, silver medalists received PHP 5,000 each, and bronze medalists received PHP 3,000 each.

Meanwhile, coaches and assistant coaches also received PHP 2,000 each.

The city recognized 11 gold medalists, 16 silver medalists, 37 bronze medalists, 13 coaches, and four assistant coaches from public and private schools.

Based on the medal and coaching tallies, the city government’s cash incentives for the athletes, coaches, and assistant coaches totaled PHP 302,000.