NCCA to Repaint Calle Real Heritage Buildings

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts is funding the repainting of decades-old buildings along Calle Real on J.M. Basa Street to enhance visual appeal and preserve the city’s historic downtown.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas said an NCCA official, whom she did not identify, called her last week to confirm the proposed project to repaint commercial buildings in the heritage district.

“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is offered for the city,” she said Monday.

Calle Real features well-preserved neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco buildings, many dating back to the late Spanish and American colonial periods.

Established during the Spanish era, Calle Real served as Iloilo’s primary commercial hub and later evolved into a shopping destination for European goods during the American occupation.

The street and nearby areas – Aldeguer, Guanco, Iznart, J.M. Basa, and Mapa streets—were declared a heritage zone in 2014 by the city government and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Treñas said NCCA representatives are scheduled to visit Iloilo City on July 13 to discuss a memorandum of agreement for the project.

She added that the city engineer’s and city architect’s offices will conduct an ocular inspection to calculate the surface area and determine the required volume of paint.

“This will make sure that our City Proper area will bring in more tourists,” Treñas said.

“That’s why we are planning programs that will breathe new life into this historic area.”

The initiative comes amid the closure of iconic local businesses, including Wewin’s Bakeshop and Socorro Drug, which will cease operations on July 15.

Treñas said revitalizing Calle Real is necessary to support local businesses.

She noted that some tourists have expressed disappointment over the limited dining options downtown, prompting them to visit other parts of the city.

Treñas previously said the city is considering launching a regular night market along Calle Real to boost its evening vibrancy and offer more attractions to visitors.