ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Government officially launched the Barangay Academy for Public Service and Development on May 14, 2026, at the City Hall Annex Auditorium. Mayor Raisa Treñas led the inauguration of the pioneering training program designed to institutionalize excellence in grassroots governance by equipping barangay officials and community workers with essential skills for more effective public service.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 6 Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero hailed the program as the first of its kind in Western Visayas. He described the academy as a long‑term investment in good governance that begins at the grassroots. "Nagpapasalamat po ako sa City Government of Iloilo, under the leadership of Mayor Raisa Treñas. Kasi inaksyonan niya agad 'to," Ingeniero said, praising the mayor's swift action after their initial conversation.
Three Pillars for Better Barangay Governance
The academy is anchored on three core pillars: Capacity Development, Institutional Strengthening, and Cross‑Cutting and Demand‑Driven Initiatives. Capacity Development focuses on improving governance competencies, including budget and fiscal management. City Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, chair of the Committee on Appropriations, stressed the link between financial discipline and better public service.
The Institutional Strengthening pillar targets internal systems, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction and management. The Cross‑Cutting pillar promotes transparency, citizen feedback mechanisms, and data‑driven governance. Together, the three pillars form a comprehensive framework designed to professionalize public service at the barangay level, where governance directly touches everyday Ilonggos.
A Commitment Ceremony and Regional Recognition
A ceremonial commitment signing during the launch gathered DILG Iloilo City Director Oscar Lim Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay President Irene Ong, Councilor Sarabia, the District Association of Barangay Captains, and barangay officials. Their signatures affirmed a collective pledge to strengthen grassroots leadership across Iloilo City's communities.
The launch coincided with another milestone for the city. DILG‑6 awarded the city a plaque of recognition and a P750,000 incentive under the Sustainable Development Goal Achievement Champions and Exemplars program. The award recognized the city's SIGE Asenso Program for promoting decent work and economic growth through community‑based livelihood opportunities.
A Brainchild of Listening
Mayor Treñas said the academy emerged directly from conversations with barangay leaders. "The idea came from listening to the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of our barangay officials and community workers," she said. "At the center of local governance are our barangays—the true frontline of governance and the closest link between the government and the community."
Ingeniero closed the event with a challenge, expressing hope that Iloilo City barangays will join and win the next Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays. The academy now stands as the city's institutional answer to that challenge—a permanent platform for developing the frontline leaders who shape daily life across its neighborhoods.
