For many cities, waste is an unavoidable consequence of growth. For Iloilo City, however, it has become an opportunity to rethink development, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for its people.

Over the years, Iloilo City has steadily established itself as one of the country’s leading local governments in environmental sustainability. Through innovative solid waste management, climate-responsive planning, circular economy initiatives, and strong community participation, the city continues to demonstrate that environmental stewardship is not merely an advocacy, but a way of governance.

This commitment has earned recognition both nationally and internationally.

Mayor Raisa S. Treñas recently highlighted the city’s achievements during the World Cities Summit in Singapore, where she joined fellow leaders from around the globe. During the summit, she presented Iloilo City’s best practices showcasing the city’s innovative and people-centered approach to urban development.

Reflecting on the experience, Mayor Treñas expressed pride in the growing international recognition of Iloilo City’s programs and innovations.

“I am very proud nga ang programs naton gina-recognize—ang mga programs ninyo, mga innovations—gina-recognize indi lang sa syudad kundi sa bug-os nga kalibutan,” Mayor Treñas told City Hall employees during a Monday flag ceremony.

She added that such recognition affirms the city’s direction and the collective efforts of its employees and stakeholders.

“Isa lang ang ginapakita: we are in the right direction. Now we can claim that our programs are at international standards and at par with first-world cities,” she said, encouraging city government employees to continue serving Ilonggos with excellence as the city pursues a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving future for all.

Among Iloilo City’s newest innovations is the Eco-nnect Bottle-to-WiFi Vendo, a creative initiative that combines environmental responsibility with digital inclusion.
Through this project, a simple recyclable PET bottle becomes a gateway to free internet access—encouraging proper plastic waste disposal while rewarding environmentally responsible behavior.

For every plastic bottle deposited, users receive 20 minutes of free Wi-Fi, with additional bottles earning more browsing time.

By turning recyclable waste into digital connectivity, the initiative demonstrates how sustainability and innovation can work together to create a cleaner, smarter, and more connected community.

Iloilo City’s efforts on sustainability have earned recognitions at both the national and international levels.

Among its most prestigious distinctions is the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award, which Iloilo City has received twice — during the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards — after its first 2020–2022 award cycle.

The award recognizes cities across Southeast Asia that excel in environmental management, cleanliness, waste management, green spaces, public safety, tourism infrastructure, and community awareness on environmental protection.

In 2026, the Environmental Management Bureau likewise cited Iloilo City as one of the country’s outstanding local government units in implementing the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), making it the only awardee from Western Visayas.

The city was also named Green LGU Champion for Waste Management during the 2025 Europa Awards and was selected as one of the United Nations’ 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste, placing Iloilo among global cities leading the transition toward a circular economy.

One of Iloilo City’s landmark environmental projects is the soon-to-be-completed Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) in Barangay Ingore, which utilizes modern waste-to-resource technologies to reduce landfill dependence and generate renewable energy from biodegradable waste.

Another milestone in Iloilo City’s sustainability journey is Project AGUBAY (Awareness, Guidance, Unity, Biodiversity, Action, and Yield), implemented with Central Philippine University and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.

The initiative strengthens solid waste management through a digital monitoring system and upgraded barangay waste recovery facilities, enabling real-time reporting, more efficient segregation, and improved collection.

To support its implementation, the project provided tablets to 18 pilot barangays, computer sets for all seven districts, a printer, a 75-inch monitoring display, and monitoring cubicles, coupled with training for local officials and stakeholders.

Iloilo City has also turned sustainability into an opportunity for inclusive growth. Through the Women of Iloilo for Sustainable Endeavor (WISE) under Project SALOG, women from homeowners’ associations are trained to upcycle discarded hotel linens and secondhand clothing into marketable products, creating green livelihoods while reducing waste.

The initiative is supported through 24 sewing machines donation by the Angat Buhay Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the European Union (EU) Green Economy Programme.

Iloilo City’s circular economy efforts are reinforced through the Green LGUs Project and the active participation of the Uswag Calahunan Livelihood Association (UCLA), which help transform recyclable waste into livelihood opportunities while promoting resource recovery and responsible consumption.

The city, through its General Services Office, also operates a Repair Hub that reduces waste by repairing and refurbishing government furniture. The LGU provides the site, facility, and manpower, with additional support from the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership.

Further advancing its sustainability agenda, Iloilo City has partnered with Rezbin Waste Technology, a local cleantech startup that makes recycling easier and more rewarding through smart recycling bins, QR-code tracking, and a mobile rewards system. The partnership aims to improve waste segregation and increase recycling participation across target offices, schools, commercial establishments, and other public spaces.

Even the Dinagyang Festival promotes waste segregation, reusable materials, and clean-as-you-go practices. The plastics collected during the festival are transformed into EcoBoards—durable and sustainable materials initially used for stage flooring. These EcoBoards were later repurposed into Cooling Hubs established by the city to provide relief to residents during periods of extreme heat, demonstrating a practical circular economy approach in action.

Beyond waste management, the city continues to invest in urban greening, climate resilience, river and coastal protection, and the development of its Urban Heat Action Plan—recognizing that building a sustainable city requires protecting both people and the environment.

Iloilo City’s environmental leadership was further recognized when it was named a Generation Restoration Role Model City under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).

Conferred by UNEP and the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center, the award cites the city’s efforts in restoring coastal and river ecosystems, expanding mangrove forests, and integrating nature-based solutions into urban development.

Taken together, these initiatives reflect Iloilo City’s holistic approach to governance—as part of its Rise-To-Action agenda, where environmental sustainability is woven into infrastructure, community participation, tourism, public policy, and economic development.

Rather than treating sustainability as a standalone program, the city has made it a guiding principle in shaping a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.IMT