Speech of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon: The rebirth of Iloilo

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

Your Excellency,  a few days ago, you were quoted as saying, that if you were to tell the story of the accomplishments of your administration through a song, that  song would be the classic “Impossible Dream”. 

Indeed, Mr. President, that song fits the story of what you have done for Iloilo.

Before your administration, we Ilonggos thought that to transform Iloilo from a city of diminishing economic appeal, to an attractive tourism and investment destination, was an impossible dream. But, with Your Excellency’s leadership and steadfast adherence to the platform of good governance, we now see the realization of that dream.

Five years ago, cleaning up the dying Iloilo River was an impossible dream. But with your support, we successfully rehabilitated the River, and built an esplanade that is now a prime tourist destination.  

Five years ago, relocating the informal settlers who were living on the banks of the Iloilo River was an impossible dream. But today, we have successfully resettled them in 1,000 units of low-cost housing, a model resettlement site.

Five years ago, who would have thought that we could widen the four-lane Senator Benigno Aquino Avenue, to make it a 10-lane highway, complete with a red-tiled bicycle lane, the only one of its kind in the entire country? Who would have thought that we could construct the 14 kilometer, four lane President Corazon Aquino Avenue, a circumferential road around the city?

Ilonggos thought these were impossible dreams. But with your support, we made it possible.

Five years ago, funding the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project was an impossible dream. But next month, the bidding process in Korea will start, and   construction of this eleven point two billion peso project, will commence in February 2016.  The Jalaur project will provide year-round irrigation to 32,000 hectares of agricultural land, Iloilo's contribution to our country's food security program.

Five years ago, building a world-class convention center was an impossible dream. But today, with Your Excellency’s support, we are inaugurating the Iloilo Convention Center that will position Iloilo as prime convention destination.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, there are only two world class government owned convention centers in the Philippines: the Philippine International Convention Center, or the PICC, and the Iloilo Convention Center.

Thank you, Mr. President, for restoring the pride of the Ilongos.

This convention center will be the venue of three APEC Ministerial meetings from September 21 to October 6. This will   bring economic benefits to the province and promote personal and cultural exchanges. The ICC will create a positive ripple effect to the tourism industry, not only of Iloilo, but  of the entire Western Visayas.

In 2013, Western Visayas had 3.5 million domestic and foreign tourist arrivals, the highest among the 15 regions in the country. Of the six provinces in the region, Iloilo had 20 percent share of the tourist arrivals. With the ICC, we are confident that we can see a significant increase in the numbers.

Iloilo, no doubt,  is an attractive tourist destination. We have beautiful century-old churches; heritage structures; sumptuous cuisine; and colorful festivals that have dazzled countless visitors.

But we built the ICC because we recognize  the convention sector’s immense potential to contribute to tourism growth, and consequently, to the economic expansion of the Iloilo province and the Western Visayas region.

At this point, let me acknowledge a few people without whose untiring support, we would not have completed this project.

First, I want to thank Mr. Andrew Tan, and the Megaworld, for donating the one point seven hectares of prime property where the ICC now stands. At present prices, this parcel of land donated by Mr. Tan is worth over one billion pesos.

And to Iloilo's pride, Architect William Cosculuella, thank you for  this iconic design, and for your services, which you unselfishly rendered for free.

I also want to thank Sec. Babes Singson and Regional Director Ed Tayao, and the DPWH, for their unselfish support to the project.

To Secretary Ramon Jimenez, and Atty. Guiller Asido, and the men and women of the DOT, and the TIEZA, thank you very much for your support and perseverance.

Ladies and gentlemen.

As we host the APEC ministerial meetings next week, we are not only building the reputation of Iloilo as an impeccable location for conventions, but also raising the profile of Western Visayas.

The ICC  will promote Iloilo as a premier convention and tourist destination, and highlight our rich cultural heritage.

With the ICC, we are highlighting our competitive advantage for hosting conventions.

Your Excellency, it is only during your administration that we have seen significant infrastructure development and the rapid economic expansion of Iloilo. We, Ilonggos, are profoundly grateful for your unrelenting  support.

But we are not resting on our laurels. Now, more than ever, the Ilonggos are united and determined to reclaim the title, “Queen City of the South” that was taken from us a century ago. 

Before your administration, that was an impossible dream. But today, we are confident we can realize that dream.

We are laying Iloilo's strong economic foundation, brick by brick. Every step we take, we are carried by waves of optimism and hope. The dream of a developed and prosperous Iloilo is no longer an impossible dream.

Before the Aquino administration, uniting the political leadership of Iloilo was an impossible dream.

But today, with your inspiration, and guided by the principle of DAANG MATUWID, we have a united political leadership.  

In Iloilo, we have proven that there are no impossible dreams if political leaders have the political will; the sincerity; the heart of a warrior; and nerve of steel, to make things happen. There are no impossible dreams if the private sector and our people will stand in solidarity with us, in the pursuit of our development goals.

Your Excellency, the Ilonggos will always remember your administration for making the rebirth of Iloilo possible. Under your leadership, the Ilonggos dared to dream the impossible. And we succeeded.

Maraming salamat po.

MGA KASIMANWA, it is now my honor to introduce the man who made us Ilonggos realize our IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III.  -End-