Jerry’s Return: A Cure for City’s Ailments?

By The Sunriser

Mayor Jerry Treñas has recovered from bile duct surgery, and Iloilo City residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief—not just for his health but for the litany of issues waiting for his magic touch.

While the mayor recovers in his condo and prepares for a leisurely return, Iloilo’s problems seem to be in no such hurry. Traffic management, skyrocketing rents, and inflation are like uninvited guests who overstayed their welcome. But don’t worry, they’ve been patiently waiting for Treñas to cut his birthday cake before they resume their unrelenting assault on the city.

One might wonder: Did traffic get wind of his medical leave and decide to unleash vehicular chaos in solidarity? Or perhaps inflation mistook his absence as an invitation to party unchecked. And let’s not forget the coveted Seal of Good Local Governance, which somehow managed to slip out of Iloilo City’s grasp. Maybe it, too, was waiting for Treñas to heal before it decided to make a triumphant return.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon has been holding down the fort, doing his best to keep the city afloat. Acting as mayor must be a breeze when the city’s problems politely queue up for Treñas instead of barging through Ganzon’s office. Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna has also stepped up, serving as vice mayor in this civic game of musical chairs.

The mayor, ever the dedicated leader, assured Ilonggos he’s on the mend and will take things slow upon his return. This measured approach is understandable after two bile duct procedures and complications like jaundice. But perhaps it’s also a metaphor for Iloilo’s pace in tackling its issues: slow, steady, and occasionally stuck in traffic.

Of course, Treñas’ recovery is a triumph of modern medicine, but could it also inspire a recovery plan for the city itself? Maybe a city-wide endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is in order to unclog whatever’s blocking progress. And while we’re at it, perhaps a temporary drainage tube for the exorbitant rents wouldn’t hurt either.

As the mayor’s December 4 birthday approaches, residents might start preparing their wish lists. A solution for traffic? Check. Affordable housing? Double-check. Inflation that doesn’t require Ilonggos to take out personal loans just to buy onions? Triple-check.

But let’s be real: even if Treñas returns tomorrow, Iloilo City’s problems won’t miraculously vanish. After all, even mayors recovering from surgery need more than two weeks of “taking it easy” to fix what ails the city.

For now, Ilonggos can only hope that while Treñas regains his strength, the city’s woes don’t grow stronger. Because if there’s one thing Iloilo needs more than a healthy mayor, it’s a health check for the city itself.