Iloilo beyond food haven

Have you been to Iloilo? Other than its rich cultural heritage which is evident in historic structures like the Jaro Cathedral and the famous Molo Mansion, we all know Iloilo for great food like La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo and KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka). Oh, I’m salivating just thinking of the richness of those flavors! Not to mention the café oh lala with their beans so dark and perfect for a bitter-taste americano.

Iloilo is also known for its developing transportation infrastructure that is making it the key economic tourism hub in the Visayas region. I’m talking about the Iloilo International Airport which is one of the busiest airports in the country outside Manila and, of course, the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT) which is a crucial gateway for international shipping and cargo in the region.

Not to mention their very famous river esplanade and business park which are a good example of urban renewal design and environmental development.

Last weekend, despite the scorching heat, new Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon himself checked on the airports and seaports of Iloilo and Bohol. It was a productive engagement with the people of the Visayas as he saw what needs to be done and what needs improvement in the land, air, and water transport sector.

Iloilo is also known for its developing transportation infrastructure that is making it the key economic tourism hub in the Visayas region.

Together with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Santiago, who led the inspection of the Visayas Container Terminal, Dizon and other DoTr officials and representatives of the local and national sectors discussed the upcoming projects.

From the airport, the delegation proceeded to the VCT, which is managed by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) under a concession agreement with PPA. A brief tour of the port was conducted to showcase its operations as a key gateway for international shipping in the Visayas.

The PPA is spearheading several major port development projects, including the construction of the crane railway and installation of a quay crane at the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex; the construction of a cruise ship port in Buruanga, Aklan; the Alegria Port Development Project, and other infrastructure projects in the region.

After Iloilo, the delegation inspected the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Among the PPA’s ongoing projects in Bohol are the expansion of the ports of Tagbilaran, Jagna and Tapal. In addition, the cruise ship port at Catagbacan in Loon, Bohol is set for expansion to boost the province’s cruise tourism industry.

After Iloilo and Bohol, Secretary Dizon, GM Santiago, and the other officials visited Cebu to meet with local leaders and discuss the continuing development of the transportation and port infrastructure in the province.

These visits are part of the DoTr’s and PPA’s intensified efforts to ensure the modernization of the ports and airports in the Visayas and address the growing demand for logistics and passenger traffic in the region.

Speaking of port modernization and development while minimizing their environmental impact, the PPA last year completed a cruise ship port at the port of Jubang in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, with similar projects underway in Coron, Aklan, Camiguin and Puerto Galera.

This year, more cruise passengers are expected to arrive, with an additional 22 cruise calls expected at various ports nationwide, including major destinations such as Manila, Boracay and Palawan.

The combination of heritage charm and modern city planning makes Iloilo an attractive place to live, work, and invest. With its sustainable urban planning, smart investments, and strong government support, Iloilo is more than just a food hub — it is one of the most promising cities for infrastructure and economic development in the Philippines. Who knows, it could a tourism hub for cruise ships. Who knows?

Anything is possible because we are all in the same boat. BRB (be right back), I’m just going to eat some mango biscocho.