Iloilo city: Newly sworn-in Mayor Raisa Tre±as-Chu on Friday laid out her vision of transforming this highly urbanized city into a development hub for various sectors. Speaking after her oath-taking ceremony at the city hall, Chu said she is ready to "hit the ground running" and continue building on the gains of her predecessor, her father, outgoing Mayor Jerry Tre±as.
According to Philippines News Agency, Chu emphasized her ambition to elevate Iloilo City by creating more job opportunities and attracting investors across industries. She outlined the necessity of unified efforts in key areas such as health, education, and social services to achieve this vision.
Chu pledged to sustain and expand core programs already in place, including livelihood support, mental health services, the Sports Academy, Raise A Farm, Merkado Lokal, and the Uswag Negosyo Academy. Acknowledging her historic election as the first woman mayor of Iloilo City, Chu also recognized the immense responsibility that comes with the role.
Expressing gratitude to her supporters and her father, Chu assured continuity of his plans, including the completion of public markets, the Uswag laboratory, the city hospital, and the sports center. She highlighted the frameworks for other programs awaiting implementation.
In a post-ceremony interview, Chu revealed plans to review and innovate existing programs to ensure faster and more accessible services for all. She also aims to surpass, if not double, the 47 school buildings constructed during her father's term, improving facilities such as canteens and libraries.
Joining Chu in the oath-taking were re-elected councilors Frances Grace Parcon-Torres, Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, Romel Duron, Alan Zaldivar, Rex Sarabia, Miguel Tre±as, Sedfrey Cabaluna, and Johny Young; returning councilors Lyndon Acap and Mandrei Malabor; and first-time councilor Nene Dela Llana. They took their oath of office before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Rose Edith Togonon, followed by a short program paying tribute to the outgoing mayor.
