Education and community access received a major boost with the inauguration of the Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla Learning Center at La Paz Plaza on February 3, reinforcing Iloilo City Government’s commitment to inclusive and accessible learning spaces.
The newly opened two-storey facility spans 1,110 square meters and serves as a multi-functional hub for education, governance, and youth development. It houses the district library, offices of the Association of Barangay Captains–La Paz, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, as well as a dedicated youth center.
Constructed through various funding sources amounting to ₱50.9 million, the learning center also features multi-purpose halls, public toilets, and a cistern, providing shared spaces designed to support community engagement, programs, and activities in the district.
During the inauguration, Councilor Miguel Treñas, speaking on behalf of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, underscored the importance of nurturing a strong culture of reading and lifelong learning among young Ilonggos. He highlighted the learning center as part of the city’s sustained investment in education under the Rising Social Services pillar of the RISE to ACTION governance agenda.
In the mayor’s message, she emphasized that libraries remain essential even in the digital age.
“Libraries are more important than ever. While technology offers many benefits, it also poses challenges to the learning and holistic growth of our children,” Mayor Treñas said. “Reading should be accessible, welcoming, kag kabahin sang adlaw-adlaw nga kabuhi sang kada Ilonggo.”
From having a single public library at Iloilo City Hall, the city has steadily expanded its learning infrastructure. Today, Iloilo City now operates three Early Childhood Care and Development Centers, three outdoor libraries, and 10 reading centers, with the La Paz facility becoming the 16th learning hub in the city.
The center is named in honor of Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla, a distinguished Ilonggo jurist born in Jereos, La Paz, on December 24, 1883. He was among the First Hundred Pensionados sent to the United States in 1903, later earning a degree in Civil Law from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Justice Jaranilla began his legal career in Iloilo City as a law clerk at the Court of First Instance, eventually rising through various government posts. During World War II, he was captured in the Battle of Bataan, survived the Bataan Death March, and later served in the Tokyo Trials before retiring from public service.
Mayor Treñas encouraged the youth of La Paz to draw inspiration from Jaranilla’s life of resilience, service, and excellence, and to actively make use of the programs and facilities provided by the city government as they pursue their own paths to success.
