Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu ready for the big league

By Alex P. Vidal

BASED on media accounts, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu performed so well at the recent 10th World Cities Summit in Singapore.

One of the key qualities of a good leader is his or her ability to form productive connections and networks. They aren’t threatened or tantalized by their more experienced counterparts in other countries.

Instead of guarding their territory, they’re constantly building bridges with others. Attendance, active involvement and participation in mammoth conclaves like the World Cities Summit are one huge step toward building bridges and international networks.

Good leaders are aware of the value of mutually beneficial relationships and actively seek them out.

Before they carved a niche as outstanding mayors in the Philippines, all the previous local chief executives in the country who became assets and sources of pride for the Philippines also historically obtained accolades at the highly regarded World Mayor Project.

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They were now-DILG Undersecretary Jed Patrick Mabilog, Treñas-Chu’s kasimanwa, who was ranked fifth globally in the 2014 World Mayor Awards and honored for governance and community development; and Oscar Rodriguez of San Fernando, Pampanga, who was ranked fourth globally in the 2005 World Mayor Awards.

Jejomar Binay of Makati City was ranked fourth globally in the 2006 World Mayor Awards; Marides Fernando of Marikina City was ranked seventh globally in the 2008 World Mayor Awards; and Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles City was ranked eighth globally in the 2012 World Mayor Awards.

Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco of Zamboanga City received special commendation in the 2018 World Mayor Prize; Jesse Robredo of Naga City reached the prestigious finals of the 2010 World Mayor Awards.

In addition to the City Mayors Foundation, modern Philippine local chief executives represented the country in global sustainability and urban innovation forums.

They were Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, who is a prominent voice in the C40 World Mayors Summit, focusing on climate action, food security and clean cities; and Vico Sotto of Pasig City, who represented the country at Bloomberg CityLab to share initiatives on urban greening, public plazas and budget transparency.

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And now Raisa Treñas-Chu of Iloilo City, who showcased the city’s gains in disaster preparedness and socialized housing development at the World Cities Summit.

The neophyte Iloilo City mayor appeared in an interview with Channel NewsAsia during the Singapore World Cities Summit.

The daughter of former Iloilo City Rep. and Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas highlighted how Iloilo City continues to strengthen disaster preparedness through earthquake resilience programs, regular training initiatives and clear community guidelines designed to keep residents informed, prepared and safe.

She showcased the metropolis’ ongoing redevelopment of its five public markets, a flagship initiative aimed at improving accessibility, supporting local livelihoods and creating more people-centered spaces for vendors, farmers and consumers.

Treñas-Chu underscored Iloilo’s commitment to expanding housing opportunities, ensuring that more families can secure safe and dignified homes while supporting the city’s vision of sustainable and inclusive urban growth beyond infrastructure.

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As cities around the world exchange ideas on building stronger communities, Iloilo City’s experience stood out as an example of balancing disaster resilience, economic development and social inclusion.

The goal remains clear for Treñas-Chu: to build a city that listens, cares and serves — one that continues to create opportunities and improve the quality of life for every Ilonggo.

Being given the opportunity to hobnob with the best among the best city mayors in the world is a dream of every Filipino leader in local government with a constituency and a framework of rules, practices and processes.

It’s the jumping board for a higher purpose and recognition, and more importantly, the bigger league.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines. — Ed)