Iloilo City Office of the Special Assistant to the Mayor

Expressing my heartfelt gratitude for your visit! A special shoutout to Kap Popoy for the incredible gift of marcotted seedlings of lomboy since its one of my favorite fruits.

MODERN PORT TO UNLOCK WV’S EXPORT POTENTIALS

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the long-overdue modernization of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) in Iloilo City will pave the way for export-quality products of Iloilo and the whole Western Visayas.

During Monday’s press conference, Treñas said the soon-to-be modernized port facility will unlock the export potentials of the region especially the agriculture-based products to go international.

“Hopefully, together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA) we can come up with export-quality products which we can send abroad like dried mangoes and pineapple and other agri-based products,” Treñas told the local press.

Other products that can be developed for export are locally-made furnitures.

Treñas, who also chairs the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council and has been leading the call for the modernization of the port complex, is looking forward to the realization of these opportunities after the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has finally awarded International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) a 25-year concession contract to develop and operate the port facility.

He said that he has already given instruction to the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO) through its head, Velma Jane Lao, to invite local economic development officers of all the provinces in the region for a meeting together with DTI and DA regarding these prospects.

"We can push the products of each province. Once the port’s modernization is complete, they already have developed their respective export products. The advantage is, there will be lesser shipment cost considering ships no longer have cargoes when returning to their respective origin,” said Treñas.

The city mayor reiterates the big impact of project not only for the economy of the city, but the province and the whole region as well.

“Daku bulig sa aton economy kay first wala na sang double handling wherein instead maagi pa sa Manila or Cebu, ma-diretso na sa aton. Another advantage is that the construction materials, agricultural inputs like fertilizer and other chemicals and agri products like bugas - mas barato ang presyo kay waay na double handling,” he added.

Forward-looking, Treñas is also hopeful for the privatization of the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

These and the completion of the multi-million Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project and the realization of Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge will all be game changers of region 6’s economic progress.

“As chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee, we are pushing for all of these for the benefit of the region’s economy and our people,” Treñas stressed. (Iloilo City PIO)

PARAW REGATTA 2024 READY TO SAIL OFF

All is set for the Paraw Regatta Festival 2024, with highlights slated on March 1 to 3.

According to Dr. Roberto Somosa, chairman of the Paraw Sailing Event, this year’s edition of the longest and biggest sailing competition in Southeast Asia will officially open on Feb. 25 at Tatoy’s Poolside Resort after a Holy Mass at Arevalo Parish.

Samosa said they expect participants for the Paraw Main Race on March 3 from as far as Boracay Island and nearby towns in Iloilo province and Guimaras. Last year, 48 paraw racers joined in the main sailing event.

Other Paraw events include Pinta Layag that will start on Feb. 26 at JBLFMU-Arevalo Campus; Pinta Regatta Contest on Feb. 27 at Festive Walk Mall Garden Atrium; Paraw Regatta Job Fair (TBA) and Miniature Paraw on Feb. 28; Slalom Race and Paraw Food Fest (Day 1) on Feb. 29; Paraw H.I.I.T, Paraw Duathlon, Beach Sports, Sinamba sa Regatta (Hall of the Justice to Freedom Grandstand) and Paraw Foodfest (Day 2) on March 2.

Aside from the main race, there will be Pinta Tawo, Pinta Layag Judging, Paraw Lechon Contest; Beach Sports at Villa Beach; Paraw Beach Bodies, Lighted Paraw and Fireworks, Paraw Food Fest (Day 3), Paraw Photo Contest and Awarding Ceremony on March 3.

Majority of the events particularly the main sailing race are traditionally held at Tatoy’s Beach Front. (Iloilo CITY PIO)

STRENGTHENING FRENCH TIES FOR RESILIENCE

Warm welcome to Ambassador Ramon Moreno and Team ULIS, the French Fire Brigade! Delighted to learn about their dedicated annual visits over the past 11 years, contributing to the efforts of our Iloilo Citizens Action Group Volunteer Fire Brigade (ICAG). I am pleased ro hear their positive feedback on our efforts in the city. Preparing documents to make our French brothers as honorary residents of Iloilo City. Will also forge a sisterhood agreement in one of their cities.