Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, during ‘Dream Philippines: Big Issue Series’ General Membership Meeting in Iloilo of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), detailed the transformation and development of Iloilo City, referring it to as ‘The Iloilo Miracle’.
“Our ‘City of Love’ has emerged into an amazing renaissance – one that has set the bar higher for Philippine cities and has even positioned itself as a significant reference point for other cities worldwide,” the former senator begins.
Drilon details the projects that have significantly shaped Iloilo’s business and economic landscape: The Iloilo River Esplanade, the Sunset Boulevard, the Museum of Economic History, the Iloilo Convention Center, the Iloilo International Airport, and the Diversion and Circumferential Road.
Iloilo River Esplanade
Drilon immensely takes pride in the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River and the development of the Iloilo River Esplanade, mentioning that the two have become benchmarks of urban development in the country.
“If there is one project I take great personal pride in, it is the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River, and the development of the Iloilo River Esplanade,” Drilon lauds.
“The Iloilo River was dead. I could write a book on the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River. This project is intensely personal for me. I grew up near the river, and had swum its brackish waters as a young boy. Later, as a senator, I had to cover my nose when I walked along its banks during my morning stroll,” he adds.
To fully rehabilitate the Iloilo River, the following were removed: fish pens, fish ponds, sunken vessels, a slaughterhouse, boat repair facilities, as well as structures near the riverbank. Moreover, informal settlers were relocated.
Moreover, in 2011, the development of the esplanade started with an initial funding of P80 million from Drilon’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). As of date, the Iloilo River Esplanade is the longest linear park in the country.
“Today the Iloilo River and the esplanade have made the Ilonggos proud of their city. They have a sense of ownership over the river and the esplanade, which has made them stewards of these projects,” Drilon states.
Sunset Boulevard
Hailed as one of the most scenic roads developed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the P2.26B four-lane highway Iloilo Sunset Boulevard features an esplanade, dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and viewing decks along Iloilo River. The infrastructure project starts at Molo-Mandurriao Road, connects to Iloilo Circumferential Road, and extends to Oton-Pakiad-Mandurriao Road.
Museum of Economic History
The impressive transformation of the Elizalde building, formerly known as the Commission on Audit building, into a museum began five years when the Ilonggo senator launched the Iloilo Heritage and Urban Renewal Project that aims to protect and preserve Iloilo’s rich heritage and culture. The museum, a first of its kind in the country, features the economic history of the country and the local history of the Iloilo and industries of Western Visayas.
Iloilo Convention Center
Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), inside Iloilo Business Park in Iloilo City, is one of Iloilo’s architectural gems, envisioned to support the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibits landscape in the metro.
Designed by Arch. William Coscolluela and Associates with inspiration from Iloilo’s Dinagyang and Paraw Festivals, the Iloilo Convention Center has a gross floor area of 11,694 square meters.
“Together with Rex Drilon and Narz Lim, we met with Dr. Andrew Tan, Megaworld CEO, to explore the idea of the conglomerate donating land to the government to build a convention center,” Drilon details.
According to Drilon, Dr. Andrew Tan donated 1.7 hectares to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Meanwhile, the then senator allocated P750 million. In September 2015, the Iloilo Convention Center was inaugurated and, since then, significantly positioned Iloilo as a MICE destination.
“I have always held the [ Iloilo Convention Center ] to be one of the finest examples of a Public Private Partnership. It has been and continues to be a win-win situation: The government collects rental and earns a share of the ICON’s gross income. The number of meetings, conventions, trade exhibits, concerts, and social events that have been held in ICON since its opening has made Iloilo City a hub for business tourism.,” he explains.
Diversion & Circumferential Roads
Diversion Road, renamed Senator Benigno Aquino Jr Avenue, is a 10-lane highway spanning 14km. Moreover, Circumferential Road, renamed President Corazon Aquino Avenue, spans 15km.
Iloilo International Airport
The Iloilo International Airport is the main international airport serving Iloilo City and surrounding areas. The 188 hectare airport is located in the Municipality of Cabatuan, 24km from Iloilo City.
“Over the last several years, Iloilo City has been regaining its pride and its rightful place in the grand scheme of things. By the time I stepped away from public service in 2022, I was justifiably proud of how far we had come. I remain so to this day as a private citizen ready to get more work done because we’re just getting started and the best possible future still lies ahead,” Drilon recollects.
Now a private citizen, Drilon remains to be a prominent figure in bringing Iloilo forward. He is one of the four senators with the longest tenure in the Senate, serving four nonconsecutive terms (1995 to 2007, 2010 to 2022), thrice as Senate President (2000, 2001 to 2006, 2013 to 2016)
“Today, Iloilo City is proof of the power of resilience and visionary leadership to transform an ailing urban sprawl into a vibrant, livable metropolitan center that is not only the most populous in Western Visayas but is also a flourishing economic powerhouse,” he concludes.
The ‘Dream Philippines: Big Issue Series’ General Membership Meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is an event in partnership with the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. The event was graced by Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, Former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, More Electric and Power Corporation President and CEO Roel Castro, among others.
