1. Leadership
1. Leadership
When a society no longer trusts authority, there will be anarchy.
Mayor Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City recognizes this and through his leadership, the local government unit (LGU) has been nothing but sympathetic to the people’s needs while making bold moves in managing the virus outbreak. Since the start of all this, the LGU has been carefully planning and taking actions swiftly because the leaders know that time is of the essence.
Iloilo city has decided not to be totally dependent to the national goverment. It’s understandable because CoViD-19 is overwhelming the country. Thus in many occassions, Iloilo City takes the initiative to provide the needs of their people at the moment.
As a result, Ilonggos — especially the sick and the poor — know that they are not being left behind. Their leaders (from the Mayor down to their Barangay Captains) are looking after them. TRUST is forged. The LGU may enforce the rule of the law much more effectively because the people trust authority.
2. Very Few People Below the Poverty Line
2. Very Few People Below the Poverty Line
Hunger makes monsters out of people but hunger is almost non-existent in Iloilo City.
Iloilo City has always been relatively prosperous. There are very few Ilonggos considered as categorically impoverished and hungry. Not to take away anything from our government leaders, Ilonggos are naturally easier to manage because they are less likely to become desperate.
Iloilo city is predominantly a middle-class society. The populace is mainly composed of families that have more than the average Filipino household. So to some degree, the people there are pandemic-ready.
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3. Generosity of the Rich
3. Generosity of the Rich
Number 2 is not absolute of course — there are poor people in Iloilo city. And nobody knows for sure when all of this will be over. If this drags too long, the middle-class’s resources will eventually run out. Fortunately for Ilonggos, the rich people based in this city are more than willing to cover for them.
The wealthy Ilonggos are donating millions of pesos for testing kits, PPEs, foods,and other essentials. Businesses are providing free services, restaurants are donating food, better-off people are offering to their cars to frontliners. The city is just beaming with generosity!
Bayanihan is very apparent in Iloilo City as the more fortunate people willingly pick up the slack.
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4. Well-trained Medical and Healthcare Professionals
4. Well-trained Medical and Healthcare Professionals
Iloilo City is the center of healthcare in Western Visayas and is fastly becoming one of the medical tourism hubs in the Philippines. Most medical and healthcare professionals — doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientists and others — in Iloilo city are locally born and trained. Their training is topnotch and they have genuine concern because they themselves are Ilonggos.
When it comes to skill and knowhow, the city has quiet confidence in locally bred medical professionals when things get worse.
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5. Educated Population
5. Educated Population
This goes together with number 4 which highlights the level of literacy and understanding of Ilonggos.
People armed with proper knowledge are easier to manage, and majority of Ilonggos are educated enough to understand the nature of the outbreak and be receptive of the government’s mandate (considering that the government is imposing the right things).
A literate society is less likely to become belligerent against righteous leaders.
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6. Cleanliness
6. Cleanliness
Virus contamination can be avoided through practice of proper hygiene. Iloilo city has always been considered as one of the cleanest urban centers in Southeast Asia. This is not an exaggeration — it bagged the ‘ASEAN Clean Tourist City‘ award just recently. The city was also awarded in 2017 with ‘Clean Air City Award‘ by the Clean Air Philippine Movement.
Maybe we’re reaching but it simply goes to show that Ilonggos can be subjected to a more hygienic set of standards which prevents the further spread of the virus.
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7. Overall Livability
7. Overall Livability
Iloilo city is highly urbanized. Its progress is very evident but does not sacrifice peace, order, and heritage.
Overall, it is just a very livable city because the people living there have the convenience of a progressive city but also enjoy the advantages of an idyllic setting.
Ilonggos in general are happy and satisfied people as their city (and province) ranks favorably high in happiness index and is considered as the most business-friendly city in the country.
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Ilonggo Dad
Ilonggo Dad is also a YouTuber.
He uploads vlogs and other videos related to Iloilo City and Ilonggo culture..
He is also a manager at Megaworld Iloilo Business Park..
