I am getting several
opportunities to room around cities in the Philippines with my job over the
last 16 years and my current trip in Iloilo last November 7-11 is perhaps another
learning occasion. For 5 days I was able to observe how local authorities in
Iloilo maintained a vibrant locality with a touch of calmness not usual in a highly
urbanized city. The wide freeways in major road networks prevent traffic to
ensue, thereby creating a healthy environment of trade, commerce and tourism.
As the heart of Western
Visayas, Iloilo serves as gateway to other provinces and cities like Aklan,
Capiz, Antique, Bacolod and Cebu. It also has direct domestic flights to Davao,
Puerto Princesa, Clark and Manila. The comprehensive transportation services in
land, sea and air are being melded that provides doorsteps to socio-economic
development of the entire region.
My first interest in
joining a trip to Iloilo is the flourishing heritage sites, mostly relics of
the Spanish occupation. Old churches, ancient houses and other structures
within the city proper and nearby towns are beautiful subjects of my solo
heritage tour. Newly-erected government buildings are strived to have ancient
touch in a contemporary episode.
On my second day in
Iloilo I travelled to the town of Miagao where Miagao church is located. It is
a declared heritage site in the Philippines and a UNESCO world heritage site.
It is an amazing architectural dwelling established in year 1787. Despite
several destructions through times the people of Miagao successfully retained
the archaic design of the church until now which eventually made it a popular
destination in the region.
Batiano River is a site
that has contributed to the overall transformation of Iloilo City. Its makeover
enabled the city to win the prestigious Galing Pook Award by making the river a
mangrove reservation park, successfully rearranging previous illegal settlers
within the riverbanks. Today, Batiano
River serves as station to sea transport system as it flows through the calm
waters of Iloilo strait.
Iloilo’s pride and
prestige is further spiced up with the presence of the Ilonggos, the warm and
accommodating dwellers of the province. They have been tagged as dominant
people in Panay Island who have sterling reputation of being affectionate,
friendly and happy creations. With all these positive stance of Iloilo province
I will definitely be coming back for more travels in this part of the country.
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