Bato, Iloilo! Kaya ta ni!

(by Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, Mayor of Iloilo City )

The feat of united Ilonggos confronting this pandemic caught the attention of netizens all over the world.  In fact, it earned us the moniker, “Wakanda,” referring to how we have worked our way to being self-sufficient in combating COVID-19.  

Every time people from other countries or localities mention about Iloilo being Wakanda, I feel more inspired to persist in the battle against the coronavirus disease. But I am not T'Challa (Black Panther).  While I took it upon myself to protect and defend the people of my beloved City, I am not just their leader.  Like them, I am also a soldier fighting a war with an unseen enemy.

I believe that good governance is a shared responsibility of both the governors and the governed, particularly during this pandemic.

It’s difficult to lead people to move as one, to encourage everyone to help and cooperate in responding proactively to this crisis. But the challenge became surmountable as Ilonggos altogether comply with the health and safety protocols and rose to the call for collective support.

The City Government is very lucky to have donors sharing resources, supporting our various initiatives. What is more heartwarming is the fact that even my political opponents generously offer help and assistance to address the challenges brought by the onslaught of COVID-19.

During lockdowns, the City Government is able to provide food aid and relief assistance to its residents. We initiated mass testing. We trained more medical technologists. We established laboratories so we can test more people. We installed more bike lanes to accommodate the growing number of people who bike to work. And we will provide laptops to teachers to help them once schools reopen.

The tasks are enormous and this battle is far from over.  But Iloilo will persist and we will not cower. In the words of Mistress Zola, (Black Panther: World of Wakanda, 2017), “We are in a difficult place… I will not offer you easy, empty words. But I will say that as Dora Milaje we are more than servants to any one man or woman—we serve Wakanda. And let us not forget, we also serve each other. Together we will always rise.”

I do not offer easy, empty words.  As the leader of my people, I am more than servant to any one man or woman.  I serve Iloilo.  But let us not forget, we also serve each other.  Together, the Ilonggos will always rise.

 Bato, Iloilo! Kaya ta ni!

Checking Relief Operations Center at Jaro Gym where food packs are being prepared prior to distribution to the barangays.

Visiting our Uswag Relief Ops at Jaro Gym to check on the situation of the relief operations. I wanted to personally thank our volunteers who exerted their efforts to pack the goods for the families greatly affected by COVID-19.

Ongoing construction of the Iloilo City COVID Laboratory in Brgy. San Pedro, Molo 

and the ongoing conversion/renovation of the ALS Building into temporary COVID laboratory

Iloilo City had bike lanes long before there was a pandemic but generous donors helped us re-paint the bikelanes and the bike racks which now serve many Ilonggos who bike to work

 As some barangays are put under surgical lockdown,
we continue our community kitchen to feed the affected families and also the poorest of poor.

As we try our best to cater the needs of the Ilonggos especially those restricted to go out of their households. This initiative was brought back to help our fellow Ilonggos who are jobless due to the pandemic.

As we put some of our barangays under particular lockdown, we brought back our community kitchen to feed the affected families and also the poorest of poor.

The outpouring of donations from people from all walks of life

I do not offer easy, empty words.  As the leader of my people, I am more than servant to any one man or woman.  I serve Iloilo.  But let us not forget, we also serve each other.  Together, the Ilonggos will always rise.