‘Walk Your Talk’

The recent announcement by Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, expressing her intent to join the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) coalition, is, on the surface, a welcome development. Her administration’s stated commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity mirrors the very values championed by M4GG, a group organized by respected Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. With other Iloilo mayors like Ian Kenneth Alfeche of Alimodian, Bongbong Tupas of Barotac Viejo, and Jon Aying of Sara already on board, a genuine groundswell for reform seems to be building in Western Visayas.

However, signing a manifesto, while a significant symbolic gesture, is only the first step. The true test of good governance lies not in declarations of intent, but in the concrete, measurable actions that transform those intentions into lived reality for the citizenry. For Mayor Treñas-Chu and the Iloilo City Council, the challenge now is to “walk the talk” and translate this commitment into robust local legislation that empowers Ilonggos and sets a new standard for transparency.

M4GG, under Magalong’s leadership, has been relentlessly vocal in demanding full disclosure for the controversial PHP350-billion national flood control projects, pushing for the release of programs of work, detailed unit price analyses, bills of quantities, feasibility studies, and the names of contractors and officials involved. This national advocacy for “Open Infra” and genuine Freedom of Information (FOI) should not remain a distant, federal aspiration; it must cascade directly to the local level.

Iloilo City has the opportunity, and indeed the responsibility, to lead this charge. The most impactful “next step” for Mayor Treñas-Chu would be to champion and secure the swift passage of a Local Transparency Ordinance and a Local Freedom of Information Ordinance.

These ordinances should mandate the proactive publication of all essential information related to city infrastructure projects – from planning and budgeting to implementation and completion. Imagine an online portal, easily accessible to every Ilonggo, detailing the entirety of city hall’s finances: from the annual budget, departmental spendings (particularly on job hires, casuals, or contract of service wrkers), and any resulting savings, right down to every peso spent, every contractor hired, and every timeline committed for projects like road repairs, drainage systems, or school constructions. This is not a radical or novel idea; it is a fundamental requirement for accountability.

Moreover, this commitment to transparency cannot stop at project ledgers. It must extend to the officials entrusted with them. A core provision of any true transparency ordinance must be the mandatory and proactive publication of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of all elected and key appointed city officials. Making these documents easily accessible online for public scrutiny is a definitive act of walking the talk, proving that our leaders have nothing to hide and are willing to be as open about their own finances as they are about the city’s.

Consider the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA). Year after year, COA reports highlight deficiencies in project implementation, unliquidated cash advances, and questions regarding procurement processes across various local government units (LGUs). These recurring issues underscore the urgent need for a system that allows citizens to act as direct, on-the-ground auditors. A robust Open Infra platform would not only deter corruption but also ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively, ultimately delivering better services and infrastructure for the city.

This brings us to the second crucial aspect: the need for a city of citizen-auditors. Good governance thrives when it is not just a top-down directive, but a shared responsibility. Local FOI and Open Infra ordinances would move beyond just government transparency; they would be acts of profound public empowerment. As enshrined in Section 7 of Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the “right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.” However, without clear local mechanisms and proactive disclosure, this constitutional right often remains elusive for ordinary citizens.

Empowering Ilonggos with accessible project data means equipping them to monitor public spending, identify delays, question discrepancies, and report potential anomalies. It fosters genuine community participation, transforming passive recipients of services into active stakeholders in governance. Civil society organizations, local media, and even academic institutions in Iloilo could then leverage this publicly available data to conduct independent analyses, provide constructive feedback, and hold officials truly accountable.

The decision to join M4GG is a strong signal, but it is merely the opening chapter. For Mayor Treñas-Chu, for the Iloilo City Council, and for the growing number of good governance advocates in the province, the real work begins now. Let’s move beyond the manifesto and embrace the concrete policy changes that will truly embed transparency and accountability into the fabric of Iloilo City’s governance. Let’s make sure that when it comes to good governance, Iloilo City doesn’t just talk the talk, but unequivocally walks the talk.