A new public plaza may soon rise in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol as provincial officials study a proposal to reconfigure the iconic Siete Pecados traffic islands and transform part of the area into an open civic space.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias said renowned landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren recently presented the proposed redevelopment plan to Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr.
According to Banias, the proposal is designed to improve traffic circulation around the Capitol Complex while creating additional public spaces that can serve as a small provincial plaza.
Under the proposed plan, the existing triangular traffic islands known as the Siete Pecados, located between General Luna Street, Bonifacio Drive, and the area fronting the Capitol and Atrium Mall, will be reconfigured. The redesign opens up space for what is being called the New Iloilo Provincial Plaza, featuring landscaped areas, walkways, a monument space, and enhanced water features that complement the heritage setting of the Capitol grounds.
The plan also seeks to integrate the new plaza with the existing Arroyo Fountain area and improve pedestrian access around the Capitol Complex.
“It’s a good proposal as it will improve traffic flow and open some spaces which can be transformed into a small plaza,” Banias said in a social media post.
However, he emphasized that the proposal is still in its preliminary stage and will undergo consultations with key stakeholders, including the Iloilo City Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), before any final decision is made.
If approved, the project could become another significant enhancement to the historic Capitol Complex, creating a new public gathering space while preserving and highlighting one of Iloilo City’s most recognizable heritage landmarks.
