The Iloilo City Government welcomes another facility dedicated to learning with the inauguration of the Delfin J. Jaranilla Learning Center in La Paz on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The two-storey hub, spanning 1,110 square meters, will house the district library, the Office of the Association of Barangay Captains–La Paz, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and a youth center.
Built from various funding sources amounting to P50.9 million, the facility also features multi-purpose halls with public toilets and a cistern, providing shared spaces for community engagement.
Mayor Raisa S. Treñas underscored the importance of nurturing a culture of reading and learning among young Ilonggos, emphasizing the city’s continued investment in education under the Rising Social Services pillar of her RISE to ACTION governance.
“Libraries are more important than ever. While technology offers many benefits, it also poses challenges to the learning and holistic growth of our children,” said Treñas. “Reading should be accessible, welcoming, kag kabahin sang adlaw-adlaw nga kabuhi sang kada Ilonggo.”
From a single public library at the Iloilo City Hall, the city’s learning facilities have expanded into a growing network that now includes three Early Childhood Care and Development Centers, three outdoor libraries, and 10 reading centers. The La Paz facility marks the city’s 16th learning hub.
The learning center is named in honor of Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla, who was born in Jereos, La Paz, on December 24, 1883. He was among the First Hundred Pensionados sent to the United States in 1903 to pursue his secondary education.
A Civil Law graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Jaranilla began his legal career in Iloilo City as a law clerk at the Court of First Instance before rising to various positions in government.
During World War II, Jaranilla was captured in the Battle of Bataan, became a prisoner of war, and survived the Bataan Death March. He later served in the Tokyo Trials before retiring from public service.
Treñas encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from Jaranilla’s life and achievements and to fully utilize the facilities and programs provided by the city government to help them succeed.Iloilo City PIO
