Iloilo City Mayor Awaits Presidential Acknowledgment of Local Projects in Upcoming SONA

ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expressed his hope that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will address three key local initiatives during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.

According to Philippine News Agency, he will not attend the SONA in person, despite receiving an invitation, choosing instead to monitor the proceedings via live stream from his office. The mayor underscored that his physical presence at the event was unnecessary given his recent interactions with the President at various official functions.

The mayor highlighted three significant concerns for the Iloilo community that he has discussed with President Marcos: the privatization of the Iloilo International Airport, the construction of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridges, and the completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II (JRMP II). While the dams of the JRMP II are completed, the irrigation canals, critical to the project’s full functionality, remain under development. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved PHP 8 billion funding for these canals, which will extend over 80.73 kilometers and benefit 17 towns in Iloilo province.

Mayor Treñas praised President Marcos for restoring normalcy and official decorum post his predecessor’s tenure and acknowledged his presidential demeanor during interactions. Despite the varying political support from the Ilonggos in past elections, Treñas noted that President Marcos has continued to advocate for substantial developmental projects in the region, reflecting a positive trajectory in his governance.