Treñas highlights Iloilo City’s achievements in 5th SOCA

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas delivered his fifth State of the City Address (SOCA) on September 9 at City Hall, showcasing the city’s numerous accomplishments since taking office in 2019 and outlining future initiatives to further its development.

Speaking before Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, barangay officials, and other dignitaries, Treñas highlighted significant milestones, including reductions in poverty and unemployment, numerous accolades, and infrastructural achievements.

Poverty and Employment Improvements
Treñas noted a significant drop in Iloilo City’s poverty incidence from 8.4% in 2021 to 6.8% in 2023, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Additionally, unemployment rates fell from 15.9% to 11.9%, reflecting the city’s growing economy and job creation efforts.

“Our initiatives have delivered positive results,” Treñas said, crediting programs like tRAIbaho Ilonggo and the Uswag Negosyo Academy for their contributions to these improvements.

Business Growth and Competitiveness
Iloilo City continues to attract investments, with the issuance of 18,868 business permits so far this year, nearly matching the total of 18,927 issued in 2022. Treñas took pride in Iloilo City’s status as the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in the Visayas and Mindanao and its 5th place ranking nationwide.

“We strive to ensure the city’s prosperity reaches every household,” he said, emphasizing his administration’s focus on inclusive development.

Health and Education Initiatives
Health services in Iloilo City have seen continuous upgrades, including the Uswag Dialysis Centers, Uswag Molecular Laboratory, and the ongoing construction of the Iloilo City Hospital, a P1.2 billion facility now 37% complete. Treñas also noted additional initiatives like the Uswag Nutrition Center and the Mega Health Center, which aim to further support residents’ well-being.

The city’s national recognition in health services includes the ASEAN Smoke-Free City Gold Award and recognition for its successful nutrition programs.

In education, the Uswag Scholarship program has supported 2,000 students, with 52 earning Latin honors. The Iloilo City Sports Academy has also produced champions at regional and international levels.

Housing and Infrastructure Projects
Treñas reported that 8,579 families have been provided homes through various relocation projects. The city government has established 42 relocation sites, with more projects underway, including a collaboration with SM Development Corporation for low-salaried City Hall employees.

Environmental and Transportation Initiatives
The mayor emphasized Iloilo City’s commitment to sustainability, citing large-scale tree-planting activities, river clean-ups, and the construction of an Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility. The city has also modernized its public transportation, with over 500 eco-friendly jeepneys already in operation, and plans for a high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Global Recognition and Future Goals
Treñas celebrated the city’s global recognition, highlighting Iloilo’s distinction as the first Philippine city to receive the Creative City of Gastronomy title from UNESCO. He also mentioned the city’s prominent appearances in international events, including the Executive Board Meeting of CityNet in South Korea and a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) forum in Vienna, Austria.

In November, Iloilo City will host the 44th CityNet Executive Committee meeting, furthering its global presence.

The mayor emphasized Iloilo’s commitment to localizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its new strategic roadmap, RISE, Iloilo City.

“Iloilo City is unstoppable,” Treñas declared. “We are strategically working towards our goal of becoming one of the Top 3 Most Livable, Sustainable, and Resilient Highly Urbanized Cities in the country by 2029.”

He acknowledged the city’s evolution into an emerging economic powerhouse admired and emulated by other local governments, while also addressing the challenges of leading a growing city.

“Much like a fruitful tree that draws admiration but endures stones thrown its way, we face scrutiny and doubts. Discouragement in the face of criticism is not an option. Instead, let us see fallen fruits as opportunities to cultivate new growth, nurturing a bountiful orchard for our people,” he said.

In closing, the mayor expressed his gratitude for the support of all sectors and reaffirmed his commitment to continuous development.

“Together, we build a city that is not just content with its present state but is constantly striving for more,” Treñas concluded.