Three wins put Iloilo City in PCCI Hall of Fame

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City has earned a place in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Hall of Fame after winning its third Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit award in five years.

The recognition puts attention on city policies that support businesses and the jobs they provide. Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said her administration aims to extend that support to the smallest enterprises and sustain it beyond her term.

The city received the 2026 award in the highly urbanized city category, or City Level 1B, following wins in 2023 and 2025.

Iloilo City is the fifth local government unit to receive the Hall of Fame award.

The other honorees are Bataan in the province category, Quezon City in City Level 1A for highly urbanized cities in the National Capital Region, Tanay, Rizal, in Municipality Level 1, and Tagbilaran City in City Level 3.

Treñas-Chu said the recognition belonged not only to the city government but also to businesses, investors, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), business organizations, and others contributing to the local economy.

She said the city’s business development initiatives seek to give enterprises of all sizes opportunities to grow, including neighborhood stores, eateries, food businesses, and micro and nano enterprises.

“I want to make sure that every business in Iloilo City, regardless of its size, has an opportunity to grow and succeed,” she said.

She cited the proposed Nano Enterprise Incentives Ordinance, the institutionalization of the Negosyo Development Academy, the Nano Food Truck Ordinance, and startup development programs as efforts to strengthen support for entrepreneurs.

Treñas-Chu said she wanted clear policies, ordinances, and funding to sustain these initiatives beyond her administration.

“This Hall of Fame recognition is not the end of our work. It gives us more reason to improve our services, strengthen our partnership with the private sector, and make sure that no business, especially our smallest entrepreneurs, is left behind,” she said.

Fulbert C. Woo, regional governor of PCCI-Western Visayas, said the award reflected the city’s sustained commitment to good governance, a business-friendly environment, and inclusive economic development.

Woo said local governments help enable economic growth through responsive policies, cooperation with local chambers of commerce, support for MSMEs, investment promotion, and job creation.

“A strong business community needs a supportive government, just as a progressive city needs a thriving business sector,” he said.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also congratulated the city, saying the recognition reflected continuity in policies and governance under former Mayor Jerry Treñas and the current administration.

Defensor said the award went beyond ease of doing business, with implications for employment, MSME development, investment, and residents’ quality of life.

“This three-time victory is no coincidence – it reflects policy continuity, stable governance, and the strong foundation of good leadership,” he said.

Iloilo province was among the top five finalists in the province category of the PCCI Most Business-Friendly LGU Awards.

Tarlac was named the national winner in that category.