Mayor Raisa S. Treñas underscored Iloilo City’s commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and livable urban community as she shared the city’s development journey during an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia (CNA) at the World Cities Summit 2026 in Singapore.
In the interview, Mayor Treñas highlighted key initiatives that reflect the city government’s people-centered approach to governance—from disaster preparedness and public market redevelopment to housing programs that aim to ensure opportunities for all Ilonggos.
“We don’t dream to be a mega city. We dream to be a better city that is people-centered and a city for everyone,” Mayor Treñas told CNA.
The mayor emphasized that Iloilo City’s vision is anchored on improving the daily lives of its residents through practical and sustainable programs that place people at the heart of development.
Among the initiatives she highlighted were the city’s proactive disaster resilience efforts, particularly in preparing communities for earthquakes, flooding, and other climate-related hazards. Through regular trainings, clear guidelines for schools and establishments, and institutionalized policies, the city has embedded disaster preparedness into its governance system.
“We want everyone to be prepared. It’s easier for people to respond during emergencies when they already know what to check and what to do. We have embedded these practices into the system,” she said.
Mayor Treñas also noted that long-term sustainability depends on proper planning and institutionalized programs that can continue beyond changes in political leadership.
“Disaster preparedness and resilience are part of our strategic roadmap. Whatever we do, we have a vision for the city, and we incorporate it into everything because it has become part of our everyday life,” she added.
The mayor likewise showcased the transformation of Iloilo City’s public markets, with five major markets redeveloped through a combination of public-private partnerships and local government funding.
According to Treñas, the modernized markets have become engines of local economic growth. For one, they have provided farmers, vendors, and entrepreneurs with improved spaces to sell their products while offering residents and visitors cleaner, safer, and more accessible facilities.
The redeveloped markets have also become tourism attractions, which allows Iloilo to showcase its local products, fresh produce, handicrafts, and Iloilo’s rich culinary heritage through the city’s growing market tourism program.
Mayor Treñas said Iloilo City’s strength lies in its ability to implement meaningful projects that directly improve people’s lives.
“If we continue doing these projects that improve the lives of Ilonggos and keep putting people first, we can create a city that is distinct from many mega cities,” she said adding that being a smaller city, it is easier to navigate and be more responsive and adaptive as well as closer to the needs of the Ilonggos.
Coming home with valuable takeaways and learnings from the Summit, the mayor identified housing as one of Iloilo City’s key priorities moving forward. Through rental housing, socialized housing programs, and partnerships with the national government and private sector, the city is expanding access to safe and decent homes for more families.
“We are making sure that everyone will have access to housing. In the end, we want a home for everyone,” she said.
As Iloilo City gains increasing international recognition, Mayor Treñas stressed that the city remains focused on its core mission, which is to create opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind.
“Ini ang padayon naton nga handum para sa Iloilo City—isa ka siyudad nga nagapaminsar para sa katawhan kag nagahatag sang oportunidad para sa tanan,” she said. (Iloilo City PIO)
