Justice Delfin Jaranilla Learning Center Opens in La Paz, Expanding Access to Education in Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City strengthened its commitment to accessible education with the official opening of the Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla Learning Center on February 3 at La Paz Plaza, marking the city’s 16th learning hub dedicated to bringing knowledge and community services closer to Ilonggos.

The inauguration gathered local officials, residents, and members of Justice Jaranilla’s family, who traveled back to the Philippines to witness the tribute to their patriarch. The ceremony began with blessings led by Fr. Bernabe Tutana Jr., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and commemorative program honoring the life and legacy of the distinguished Ilonggo jurist.

Mayor Raisa S. Treñas was represented by Councilor Miguel Treñas, who emphasized during the ceremony that education must remain accessible to all, noting that learning centers like this help unlock the potential of future leaders and even future justices.

The event also featured tributes from Jaranilla’s descendants, including Rose Marie Yenko and her daughter Kat Gomez-Limchoc, who shared personal reflections on his life after World War II. Adding historical context, World War II historian Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose discussed Justice Jaranilla’s significant role in the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, commonly known as the Tokyo Trials.

The newly opened two-storey facility spans 1,110 square meters and serves not only as a district library but also as a shared community hub. It houses the Office of the Association of Barangay Captains–La Paz, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and a youth center. Multi-purpose halls, public toilets, and a cistern system are also included, providing functional spaces for community programs and engagements.

Constructed through combined funding sources totaling P50.9 million, the learning center reflects the city government’s continued investment in education and social services under the Rising Social Services pillar of Mayor Treñas’ RISE to ACTION governance agenda.
In her message, Mayor Treñas highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of reading and learning among Ilonggos, especially in an age shaped by rapid technological changes.

“Libraries are more important than ever. While technology offers many benefits, it also poses challenges to the learning and holistic growth of our children,” she said. “Reading should be accessible, welcoming, kag kabahin sang adlaw-adlaw nga kabuhi sang kada Ilonggo.”
The La Paz center joins Iloilo City’s expanding network of learning facilities, which now includes three Early Childhood Care and Development Centers, three outdoor libraries, and ten reading centers across the city.

The center is named in honor of Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla, a proud son of La Paz born in Jereos on December 24, 1883. He was among the First Hundred Pensionados sent to the United States in 1903 and later earned his Civil Law degree from Georgetown University. Rising through government service, he endured imprisonment during World War II, survived the Bataan Death March, and later represented the Philippines in the Tokyo Trials before retiring from public service, leaving a legacy of resilience, justice, and integrity.

Mayor Treñas encouraged young Ilonggos to draw inspiration from Jaranilla’s life and to make full use of the learning center’s facilities and programs to pursue their dreams.

With another community learning hub now open, Iloilo City continues to bring education and opportunity closer to every Ilonggo household.