Raisa Treñas, the only daughter of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, is carving her own niche in public service.

Her father, a distinguished lawyer and accomplished public servant, and her mother, a successful entrepreneur, exemplified the values of leadership and community service. Her family’s legacy and values guided her path to selfless service.

Being the eldest among five siblings, Raisa embraced the significant responsibility of managing the family business as chief executive officer. She applied her business acumen and honed her leadership skills, overseeing the growth of the company from 30 to 200 employees. She was also elected as treasurer of the Iloilo Baker’s Association.

 “Working as a CEO was no joke. I had to think of ways to support not just our business quality, but also the livelihood of our team,” Raisa shared.

 In her desire to improve and reinforce her capability as company leader, Raisa, after earning a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce, majoring in Business and Economics, pursued and earned a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

 Driven by a greater calling, she transitioned into public service. Inspired by her father, Raisa embraced the privilege of serving Iloilo City and the Ilonggos with enthusiasm and commitment.

 She started as a volunteer during the Covid-19 pandemic. One notable project she spearheaded was the Uswag Community Kitchen, which provided meals to communities affected by the global health crisis. This not only addressed immediate needs but also fostered a sense of solidarity and support within the community.

Raisa led and mobilized more than 200 Uswag Community Kitchens and Uswag Kitchen Patrol to serve meals to thousands of Ilonggo families every day. She also spearheaded the production of 200,000 face masks, and various relief efforts.

 Raisa was also the second nominee of Uswag Ilonggo Party List, a role that provided her with another significant opportunity to connect with the grassroots. She honed her skills in public service by working closely with various sectors, addressing local issues, and implementing programs that directly benefited the people, while working as chief of staff in the Congress.

 As an empowered young lady, she joined and became the secretary of Zonta Club Iloilo II, an all-female organization that advocates for women’s rights which aims to build them a better world. Her commitment to the community became more evident in her work as executive assistant to the mayor. Raisa prioritized the JPT Ediscape, a communal vegetable gardening project, by collaborating with the City Agriculturist’s Office and other concerned City Hall offices.

 Building on the success of JPT Ediscape, Raisa introduced the RISE-A-FARM (Resilient, Integrated, Sustainable Environment) program, a holistic approach to combat hunger and promote agricultural development in the city.

 “Rise-A-Farm has helped a lot. There are native chickens and tilapia that have been raised for us along with vegetables. Our harvest will be available for our community at a low price,” farmer Richard Marciano said in Hiligaynon. Mr. Marciano is selling his produce through USWAG Rolling Store and Merkado Lokal, among the components of Rise-A-Farm.

 Now a family woman and a devoted mother, Raisa understands the importance of family and strives to be a positive role model for others.

 Motherhood has become her motivation to work towards a better future for the community, turning her vision into a mantra, “The continuation of Iloilo City’s progress, one Ilonggo family at a time.”

 With this, she empathizes with every mother’s dream for their family.

“My priorities for the people have truly expanded. Now, I must think, work and provide the best not just for my family, but also for every family that relies on the City Government for health, social and welfare services. I have felt the challenges of being a hands-on mother, and can truly relate to the lives of every mother in the community,” she said.

 Among her priorities are nutrition, health, education, and sports for the youth. In line with this,

Raisa also helped empower USWAG Scholars, planned and implemented livelihood programs like tRAIbaho Ilonggo and Uswag Negosyo Academy (UNA); and launched activities such as LaygayLayi, Legal Consultation, and USGWAPS and Ginhawa: Mental Health Program.

Raisa took pride in her significant contributions to the national and international recognitions of Iloilo City, such as being designated as UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy; Galing Pook Award for I-Bike Lane; two-time Galing Pook finalist for the Iloilo City Sports Academy, and another Galing Pook-Walang Gutom Award 2024 finalist for the Rise-A-Farm anti-hunger initiatives.

 “Beyond the pride and honor of receiving these recognitions, we always focus on the underlying purpose of our programs and projects. Our goal is to uplift the lives of our people and drive the development of our city,” Raisa emphasized.

“I am excited to work, collaborate and create more programs that will ensure better opportunities for the people, as well as maintain the momentum of RISE Iloilo City Program,” Raisa enthused.