VM Baronda wishes unity for 2026

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace Baronda expressed her wish that the Sangguniang Panlungsod would unite in 2026 for common causes for the city’s residents, despite her and one other councilor being in the minority.

Baronda spoke to the media on Tuesday, Dec. 16, where she reflected on the first five months of her term as vice mayor and the city council’s presiding officer.

She won in the 2025 vice-mayoralty contest with an 11,000-vote lead over incumbent Jeffrey Ganzon, who sought a third and final full term.

The vice mayor said that for 2026, she hopes that the council unites, and that the majority considers legislation authored by the minority, which consists of her and Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog.

“In the next year, I hope next year our city council will have unity, not only for the majority, but also for the different minority legislations. They need to be listened to and hopefully supported,” Baronda said.

She reiterated the same for her Christmas wish for her and Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, as well as other city government officials.

“My Christmas wish, not only for Mayor Raisa, but also for all our city government leaders, is for us to unite and to look at the betterment of the city. Because at the end of the day, we are only borrowing the positions given to us,” she said.

“We are only here for three years, or maybe longer if we hopefully get reelected. But then again, what is really important is that our direction is not for ourselves but for the constituents of Iloilo City,” she added.

As to her work in the council, she referred to a recent privilege speech she gave on the council floor, saying that she hopes to be able to pass legislation that would ease procedures for incentives to senior citizens next year.

She also wishes to pass legislation that she authored, including a three-digit local hotline, a volunteer network, and the establishment of different nongovernmental organizations and associations in the city.

“This is a huge gift that we can give to senior citizens. I’ve been going around through [their] Christmas parties, so that is really what they are clamoring and asking for, that the process, especially for documents, would not be hard for them,” she said.

“What I look forward to in 2026 is that our legislation in the city council can be more innovative and can give solutions to the different concerns of our constituents. At the end of the day, this is our work, to address the different problems of the city, and can complement the direction provided by the executive,” she added.

Baronda said that while she led the council as a member of its minority, they were still able to pass meaningful legislation for the city.

“We were able to pass ordinances for different sectors, as well as resolutions that provide solutions for the people of Iloilo City,” the vice mayor said.

She cited an ordinance passed by the council on Dec. 3, authored by Councilor Mandrie Malabor, which establishes an early identification and intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders in the city.

“Children could be given proper assistance by the city government, as well as a network that they can approach when they need help, especially since treatment can be a heavy burden financially,” she said.

The vice mayor expressed confidence in continuing to work despite the setback of being in the minority.

“What I pray, always, is that everything happens for a reason. If there are things that are not in our favor, God may have reasons why he does that. What I think of is moving forward, because by looking back, we couldn’t do anything, but by looking forward, we can do a lot,” she said.