Treñas-Chu expands EAs to 29; P22.7-M earmarked in 2026 budget

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The number of executive assistants (EAs) under Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu is expected to increase to 29 in 2026, based on the city’s proposed budget.

If approved, this will be an addition of eight EAs from the 21 currently serving since Treñas-Chu assumed office in June 2025.

The mayor’s office has requested a total of PHP 22.7 million in personnel services allocation for executive assistants in 2026.

Treñas-Chu’s office proposed four Executive Assistant V positions, including former mayor Jose Espinosa III, who led Iloilo City from 2017 to 2019 and is the mayor’s uncle by marriage.

Mary Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, the mayor’s spokesperson, also holds the rank of Executive Assistant V.

The remaining two Executive Assistant V posts are currently vacant.

The proposed budget shows an annual salary increase of PHP 30,204 for Espinosa and PHP 48,636 for Fantilaga-Gorzal, with each Executive Assistant V earning PHP 1.178 million per year.

The mayor also plans to retain 11 Executive Assistant IVs, including Rudiver R. Jungco Sr., Efrain J. Paredes, Fernando Jose G. Rico, Alfredo A. Villanueva, Katherine T. Tingson, Eleanor D. Gregorio, and Jose Efrain G. Treñas III, her cousin.

Seven of them are slated for an annual salary increase of PHP 39,900.

Rico oversees barangay affairs, Jungco heads the City Sports and Development Office, and Gregorio handles senior citizens and persons with disabilities affairs.

Mark Ryan C. Acap, Love Joy G. Hosenilla, and Raulen T. Ledesma will receive PHP 39,912 in additional salary, while Raymund G. Jarobilla will get PHP 12,912.

Acap leads the newly established Atipan Center, and Hosenilla heads Task Force ASIS.

Former councilors Ely Estante Jr. and Candice Magdalane Tupas also serve as Executive Assistants III, alongside retired police colonel Leo Puertollano.

Estante oversees city markets and slaughterhouses, while Tupas handles medical tourism, both appointed in August after completing their councilor terms.

Serving as Executive Assistants II are Armando A. Dayrit, Mary Ann A. Ramos, Nestor O. Canong, Nelson E. Parreño, and Rammy J. Guintabano.

Dayrit, a former Department of Environment and Natural Resources employee, manages the city’s tree-growing program.

Ramos is a former population officer, Parreño is a former city assessor, and Canong is a former barangay captain who now leads the Task Force on Moral and Values Formation.

Seven Executive Assistant I positions are listed in the proposed staffing, with only three currently filled by Hector A. Alejano, Jsrah P. Malones, and Cyril S. Octavio.

The remaining four slots are still vacant.