Iloilo city: Mayor Raisa Tre±as has expressed full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s plans laid out in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), noting that many of the national priorities align closely with the city's own programs and challenges. Tre±as said several of the issues raised by the President, such as mental health, child development, public health, and urban development, mirror the city's local agenda.
According to Philippines News Agency, the neophyte mayor said that last week, she called for a meeting to strengthen the mental health advocacy in schools. Currently, the local government offers free services, like psychological counseling, tele-counseling, and psychological stress debriefing, through the Raise Awareness, Intervene, Support, and Empower Mental Health Program and Psychosocial Support.
She also lauded the plan to establish Child Development Centers and Bulilit Centers, as the city currently has 202 operational Early Childhood Care and Development Centers. Tre±as highlighted the city's collaboration with the private sector and the Department of Science and Technology to combat malnutrition, an effort consistent with national goals.
She noted the President's promotion of car-free Sundays is similar to Iloilo City's planned car-free zones during night markets at Calle Real and once the Super and Central Markets reopen. This complements ongoing heritage conservation efforts with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), including repainting historic buildings to add vibrancy to the downtown area.
"This initiative supports our ongoing partnership with the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) to repaint heritage buildings in the City Proper, especially in the Calle Real area, adding vibrancy and color to our downtown," she added.
She also welcomed the free dialysis sessions for the whole year. The city has two dialysis centers in East Baluarte, Molo, and San Isidro, Jaro, both of which offer free services. The plan of the national government to audit, review, and publish the list of projects is also laudable, adding that transparency and accountability are important.
"We, in Iloilo City, stand ready to work hand-in-hand with the national government to build a more resilient, inclusive, and progressive city for every Ilonggo," she added.
