City gov’t plans to establish public library per district

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas bared his plans to establish a public library in every district of Iloilo City to cater to the needs of Ilonggo students.

Treñas said the establishment of the Ramon Avanceña Learning Center and Library in Arevalo and the Justice Jaranilla Library in La Paz are in the works adding that his long-term plan is to establish a library in every district of Iloilo City.

“Sige-sigehon ta ni. Isa sa manami nga programa sa syudad amo ni ang mga libraries sa mga distrito, kag manami kon may ara sina kada distrito sa La Paz, Molo, Mandurriao, kag sa Arevalo,” he said in a media interview last week.

There are only two public libraries in Iloilo City. The main library which is Iloilo City Public Library (ICPL) is located at Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Learning Resource Center and Museum on Fajardo Street in Jaro district while the other is located at the Sta. Filomena Day Care Center in Arevalo district but it is not yet open to the public.

Treñas said that he has extended the operating hours of the ICPL in Jaro from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cater to more Ilonggo students.

“Manami gid ang aton programa sa library, nakita ko ang mga kabataan nagakadto gid didto para nga magtuon kay matawhay kag malinong ang environment,” he added.

ICPL head Marion Aguirre said that the ICPL is open from Mondays to Saturdays.

Aside from the free use of space, the library also allows students to use the computers provided by the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) for free.

Students may also bring their food and drinks provided that their drinks have lids.

Meanwhile, the management reminded the students to wear their masks at all times and observe social distancing and other health protocols when visiting the public library. (DG)