Treñas-Chu eyes Iloilo City as top three HUC by 2029

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu announced Monday, Jan. 5, a goal to elevate the city into the country’s top three highly urbanized cities within the next three years.

She said the target builds on a long-term development vision first articulated by her father, former mayor Jerry Treñas.

Treñas-Chu, who is expected to complete her first term in June 2028, made the declaration during the city government’s first flag-raising ceremony of 2026.

Jerry Treñas earlier set a goal of positioning Iloilo City among the top three most livable, sustainable, and resilient highly urbanized cities in the Philippines by 2029.

He announced the target during his 2024 State of the City Address, months before deciding not to seek another term.

In 2023, the former mayor also outlined a similar vision to rank Iloilo City among the top three most competitive highly urbanized cities by 2028.

That plan centered on four pillars under the city’s “transitional blueprint.”

The pillars are environmental sustainability, resilient infrastructure, innovative economic development, and responsive and inclusive human development.

Based on national benchmarks such as the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Iloilo City ranked fourth overall among highly urbanized cities in 2023.

The city slipped to fifth place in 2024 but remained the top-performing highly urbanized city outside Metro Manila.

As of 2024, Iloilo City also led Western Visayas across all five competitiveness pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation.

Treñas-Chu said achieving the city’s long-term goals under her administration would require unity, compassion, and integrity in public service.

“I hope that with a renewed commitment to service, we continue to serve with compassion, purpose, and integrity,” she said.

She urged City Hall employees to deepen their commitment to public service and reminded them that government work is rooted in responsibility to the people and the city.

“This year is a new chapter for the city. We have so many visions, especially with the programs that we will implement this year,” she said.

She added that she hopes her passion for public service will be shared by city government workers.