Iloilo City celebrates excellence, shared accomplishments in governance, resilience, business climate

The Iloilo City Government renewed its commitment to integrity, accountability, and responsive public service as it celebrated four major recognitions highlighting the city’s achievements in governance, disaster resilience, business development, and statistical data support.

The awards were highlighted during the city government’s weekly flag ceremony hosted by the City Internal Audit Service Office, where Mayor Raisa S. Treñas thanked government employees, partner agencies, barangay officials, volunteers, and other stakeholders for their collective contributions.

“Indi lang ini mga awards, kundi pamatuod sang aton pagbinuligay kag commitment nga mas maayo nga serbisyo ang mabatyagan sang kada Ilonggo,” Treñas said, emphasizing that the recognitions reflect the shared efforts of those working to improve the lives of Ilonggos.

Among the recognitions was the 2026 Galing Pook Award for the Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARe) Center: Decentralizing Risk Governance, which was named one of the Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs in the Philippines.

The program aims to bring emergency assistance closer to communities, strengthen disaster preparedness, and improve coordination among emergency response teams.

Treñas reported that the city’s emergency response time had improved from 12 minutes to four minutes. The city continues to conduct simulation exercises and training to strengthen coordination among the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and ICARe teams.

The mayor underscored the importance of a quick response during medical emergencies, including heart attacks and strokes, when timely intervention can be critical.

Iloilo City also received the first-ever Galing Pook Resilience Award, recognizing its efforts to strengthen local resilience and integrate climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into governance and decision-making.

Treñas said the city is also working to ensure the continuity of essential government services during crises through triple redundancy in its operations centers.

She cited the city’s response to the energy crisis as an example of the importance of maintaining uninterrupted public service, even amid challenging circumstances.

Another major recognition was the 2026 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Hall of Fame Award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Iloilo City was recognized under the City Level 1B category for provincial highly urbanized cities. The Hall of Fame distinction marked the city’s third win within five years.

The award was received on October 14, 2026, during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at The Manila Hotel, together with Velma Jane Lao, head of the city’s Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIP).

Treñas said the recognition affirms the city’s efforts to promote good governance, implement innovative policies, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to attract investments and support local entrepreneurs.

The city aims to translate these efforts into more business opportunities, jobs, and livelihood for Ilonggo families.

Completing the four recognitions was the Outstanding Local Government Unit in Statistical Data Support for the 2025 Provincial Product Accounts, conferred by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through its Iloilo Provincial Statistical Office.

The recognition was awarded on October 13, 2026, during the Data Dissemination Forum on the 2025 Economic Performance of the Province and City of Iloilo at Diversion 21 Hotel.

It acknowledged the city government’s timely submission of accurate, complete, and quality statistical data, which are essential for evidence-based planning, policy development, and effective delivery of public services.

Treñas stressed that reliable economic statistics help the local government make informed decisions and establish clear directions for sustainable development.

She credited the city government workforce, particularly Donna P. Magno and personnel of the Office of Civil Defense and Risk Reduction Management Office (OCDRRMO) and ICARe, as well as the LEDIP Office, partner agencies, barangay officials, and volunteers, for their roles in achieving the milestones.

The mayor encouraged city government offices and personnel to sustain their momentum and continue working together to deliver meaningful public service.

For Treñas, the awards are not merely institutional achievements but a shared accomplishment of the entire city.

She dedicated the recognitions to every Ilonggo, emphasizing that their true value lies in safer communities, faster emergency assistance, uninterrupted government services, better planning, and expanded economic opportunities.

The city government said it would continue pursuing excellence, accountability, and collaborative governance toward its vision of making Iloilo City a better city for all.