Iloilo City Ranked as Fourth Richest City Outside NCRIlocos Norte Temporarily Closes Mt. Lammin to Visitors Due to Grassfire Risks

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Iloilo City has achieved significant economic growth, ranking as the fourth wealthiest highly urbanized city outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to Philippines News Agency, The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed on Monday that Iloilo City’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) stood at PHP306,444, surpassing the national average of PHP178,751. Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed his satisfaction with the city’s economic performance, attributing it to hard work and comprehensive planning. He expressed optimism for the continued growth of Iloilo City, which follows Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, and Lapu-Lapu in the ranking.

Velma Jane Lao, head of the Iloilo City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) office, highlighted the strong economy as a key factor attracting investors. She emphasized that the high GDP per capita signifies the productivity of the local population. According to Lao, Iloilo City’s aggressive investment promotion has led to increased employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, which in turn have contributed to the overall productivity and economic strength of the region.

ILOCOS NORTE — The local government unit of Ilocos Norte has declared a temporary closure of Mt. Lammin to visitors starting March 18, aiming to prevent the occurrence of grassfires in the region. This preventive measure seeks to protect the largest coffee plantation in the Ilocos Region and one of the coldest areas in the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the decision was made to safeguard the mountain’s natural resources, wildlife, and the well-being of the local community. The announcement was formalized in a public notice signed on March 18 and later shared on the town’s official Facebook page. Mt. Lammin, spanning the villages of Estancia and Dupitac, is renowned for its chilly climate and dense pine forests.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has reported a total of 18 forest fires and 10 grassfires in Ilocos Norte since January of this year. The occurrences were notably prevalent in areas such as Nueva Era, Piddig, Solsona, Vintar, Burgos, and Pasuquin. Roxanne Annie Parado, the provincial fire marshal, highlighted during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting that the unit lacks adequate equipment for combating forest fires, a situation attributed to the rarity of such incidents in previous years.

In response to the fire risks, Piddig had previously initiated the establishment of checkpoints leading to its mountainous regions. These checkpoints, set up in strategic locations including Barangay 22 at Boyboy Junction and Barangay 18 Estancia, were operated jointly by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BFP.

Victor Dabalos, the provincial environment and natural resources officer, has commended the local government’s decision, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to prevent grassfires, which are predominantly caused by human activities. He also suggested that similar precautions, such as road closures, should be considered for other areas like the Solsona-Apayao road during peak fire risk periods.