The heritage province of Iloilo

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.