For 2023, the Iloilo City government has made a huge step in the progress of the community, which reflects to the awards, citations, and recognitions that the city received throughout the year; placing the City of Love on the global landscape, worthy to be emulated by other local government units (LGUs).
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has consistently stressed the value of teamwork in realizing the shared vision of the city, noting that the unity of Ilonggos in supporting the endeavors of Iloilo City paid off through the accolades they received.
“Sa mga pinalangga ko nga mga Ilonggo, aton padayunon ang pagbinuligay para sa padayun nga kauswagan sang aton syyudad […] I want to express my deepest gratitude for all of your unwavering support and cooperation, which have been instrumental in our city’s progress. I firmly believe that our collective efforts have made Iloilo City what it is today,” Treñas said.
The mayor also acknowledged that more than the awards reaped by the city this year, it is the ‘sense of pride’ of Ilonggos for the city that made this year more special.
“Our big accomplishment is that we were able to cultivate a sense of pride among the Ilonggos, from the street sweepers to taxi and jeepney drivers, and everyone […]
Ang sense of pride naton kakusog gid, and it is not easy to have the sense of pride nga ang mga residents naton may mabatyag gid nga bugal para sa aton nga syudad. We can get all the awards, but if it does not translate into a sense of pride sa mga Ilonggo, daw kulang,” he said.
Treñas noted that the accolades received by the city serve as an inspiration that propels significant strides toward achieving the city’s goal to be one of the Top 3 Most Liveable, Sustainable and Resilient highly urbanized cities in the country by 2028.
For this year, some of the notable feat of the city include loilo City’s designation as UNESCO’s ((United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Creative City of Gastronomy, which highlights the rich culinary heritage and vibrant food culture of the Ilonggos, offering an opportunity for the city to further boost its tourism and cultural sectors.
Along with this international achievement are more recognitions, such as the Creative-Friendly Destination from the Creative Tourism Network, Lungsod Lunsad Award from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Best Book on Food in the 2023 National Book Awards for the cookbook, “Flavors of Iloilo.”
Iloilo City is also the country’s Top 4 Overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) and Top 1 outside the National Capital Region (NCR), surpassing big cities like Muntinlupa, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Makati, Pasig, and Valenzuela; and was recognized as one of the Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in the Philippines for 2023, receiving the Gold Award by the Mobility Awards for the third time.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also hailed Iloilo City as the 2023 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit under City Level 1B (Provincial HUCs) category, while the DTI awarded Iloilo City as the Most Competitive and Most Improved HUC in Western Visayas.
Treñas led the winners from the Iloilo City Government during the Honor Awards Program (HAP) 2023 Search for Outstanding Government Workers of the Civil Service Commission Region 6.
He also won the Regional Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for outstanding work performance and contributions with national impact. He was credited for his W.H.E.E.L.S. (Welfare, Health and Sanitation, Education, Environmental Management, Livelihood, and Sustainability) program for inclusive development; while City Environment and Natural Resources Office head, Engr. Neil Ravena, won the Dangal ng Bayan Award for “performance of extraordinary act or public service” and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior; and the City Health Office-Calumpang Birthing Center won the PAGASA Award.
Iloilo City has also once again been conferred with the highest award for disaster risk reduction and management for 2023 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during its 23rd Gawad Kalasag Seal for DRRM councils and offices; while the Iloilo City Public Information Office (PIO) reaped awards during the 2023
Western Visayas Information Officers’ Year-end Conference and Awards, including the best information officer for Ms. Lucy Sinay (Hall of Fame),and Best Facebook Page.
The mayor was able to showcase Iloilo City to the world through two prestigious international events — the Executive Board Meeting of CityNet in South Korea
in October, where he was elected as member of the Executive Committee; and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) forum in Vienna, Austria in September.
With all these recognitions, Treñas stressed the importance of having a good working relationship with the city council, as well as the partnership with the private sectors, to further boost the developments in the city.
“Some of the ideas or programs emanate from our city council while others from the executive, but if the whole team is working as one, things are easier. If we unite and work together, we go on continuously for more developments […] Makita ta nga kon para sa kaayuhan gali, mahapos magbulig ang mga Ilonggo kag nalipay gid ako,” he said.
Treñas also said that the journey for Iloilo City is still a long way to go, noting that it is important for everybody to sustain their efforts.
“We really need to make sure everything that we do is sustained. Because if it is sustained, can you imagine what Iloilo will be in 10 years. Kadaku na gid sang makambyo sa landscape sang Iloilo City,” he stressed. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
