Green Meets Great: Iloilo City Aims for First Green MICE City
The Iloilo City Government announced its 2025 plans to become the country’s first Green MICE City during the “Green Meets Great” press conference on October 22 at SPACE One Ayala, Makati City.
The Green Meets Great campaign presents Iloilo City as a livable, sustainable, and urban destination with various green MICE options. Iloilo has met the criteria to establish a successful MICE Office and become the top MICE tourism hub in Southeast Asia.
The Department of Tourism recorded 752,301 tourists in 2022 and 886,283 in 2023. Despite the influx, the city upheld cleanliness and promoted sustainable energy practices, earning the Clean Tourist City award from ASEAN. Additionally, its bikeable city plan for sustainable tourism earned Iloilo the gold award for Most Bicycle-Friendly City in 2023.
Why invest in Iloilo?
Strategically located in the heart of Panay Island, Iloilo City serves as a vital gateway to Western Visayas. The city is well-connected, with Iloilo International Airport and its seaport offering access to key domestic and international markets.
Iloilo City has gained recognition as a technology hub, earning the distinction of a “Next Wave City” by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for its growing business processing outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Iloilo City’s economic engine is diverse and continues to expand. Key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, education, logistics, and the thriving IT-BPO industry are drawing both local and international businesses.
The city’s growing business district, anchored by developments like the Iloilo Business Park has seen investments from major developers including Megaworld, Ayala, and SM.
In recent years, the Iloilo City government has introduced reforms to simplify business operations. The Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) streamlines the registration process, significantly easing entry for new businesses.
Flavors of Iloilo: Through the City’s Gastronomy
In 2023, Iloilo City was designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.
Iloilo City lives up to its reputation as the food haven of the Philippines, showcasing a diverse array of fresh produce categorized into three groups: upland and mountain fare, lowland and hinterland offerings, and river and coastal delights.
Iloilo City hosted the Calle Real Street Night Market on August 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 from 5 PM to midnight, blending gastronomy, art, culture, and heritage. The successful event attracted 15,000 visitors eventually generated 1.2 million pesos in income for small vendors.
Ang Panublion Sang Tanan: Luna, Hidalgo, Arellano, and Amorsolo at UP Visayas Museum
The Lopez Group Foundation, Inc. will unveil “The Patrimony of All – Ang Panublion sang Tanan – Paintings from the Lopez Museum and Library Collection” on November 25, 2024. This exhibit features works by Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Juan Arellano, and Fernando Amorsolo, celebrating the 77th anniversary of UP’s presence in Iloilo.
“The Patrimony of All” allows audiences in the Visayas to appreciate Filipino masters and highlights Iloilo’s rich architectural heritage. The exhibit will showcase works including Hidalgo’s “La Barca de Aqueronte,” Arellano’s “Christ Down from the Cross,” Luna’s “Ensueños de Amor,” and Amorsolo’s “Native Fruits.”
The Lopez family, while based in Metro Manila, remains connected to their roots in Iloilo. For over a century, they have engaged with the community through various entrepreneurial, civic, and philanthropic activities.
Since 1878, during a province-wide famine, the family organized relief efforts with their own funds. In 2006, after an oil spill in Guimaras, they donated 15 hectares of land to affected families for housing and livelihood support.
Dinagyang 2025: Eight Tribes, One Vibrant Celebration
Eight tribes are set to compete in the January, 2025 edition of the Dinagyang Festival, as announced by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) during the recent official launch of the 100-day countdown to the event.
First celebrated in 1967, the Dinagyang Festival has its roots in the devotion to the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
Moreover, the festival has become globally renowned, winning multiple awards and attracting tourists with its vibrant street performances, elaborate costumes, and powerful drum beats.
The tribes competing in the upcoming Dinagyang Festival are:
- Tribu Paghidaet (La Paz National High School)
- Tribu Salognon (Jaro National High School)
- Tribu Parianon
- Tribu Ilonganon (Jalandoni Memorial National High School)
- Tribu Pag-asa Kang Mandurriao
- Tribu Hangaway
- Tribu Molave
- Tribu Pan-ay (Fort San Pedro National High School)
Tribu Pan-ay, the reigning champion of Dinagyang 2024, will be defending its title.
The 2025 Dinagyang Festival is set to attract large crowds again, upholding its tradition of celebrating cultural heritage through vibrant performances and religious devotion.
The Department of Trade and Industry awarded Iloilo City a PHP 2-million grant at the Lunsod Lunsad Awards for its innovative growth projects. This funding will support the Iloilo City Lunsod Lunsad Creative Gastronomy Mapping and Strategy Development, highlighting the city’s culinary landscape.
Gerie is a passionate writer who transforms everyday moments into enchanting stories. Writing feature and lifestyle pieces is her strength for over a decade. She served as the 25th and 27th Features Editor of The Communicator, the student publication of the PUP College of Communication. She writes a wide variety of topics and surely reading her articles are like a cozy cup of tea on a rainy day.