ILOILO CITY — Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu is representing the Philippines at the 10th World Cities Summit in Singapore from June 14 to 16, 2026. She is the only Philippine delegate invited to speak at the National Heritage Board session. The biennial summit convenes government leaders, industry experts, and academics to address livable and sustainable city challenges.
The summit, organized by Singapore's Centre for Liveable Cities and Urban Redevelopment Authority, carries the theme "Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now!" The 2024 edition drew over 3,500 delegates from nearly 100 cities. Mayor Treñas will present Iloilo City's Heritage Conservation Program to an international audience of city leaders and heritage experts.
A Global Stage for Ilonggo Heritage
On June 14, Mayor Treñas joins the session titled "Championing Heritage for Loveable Cities," where she will showcase Iloilo's heritage initiatives. Her presentation covers the Calle Real preservation project, the Living Heritage Museum Tour, and the city's broader cultural conservation framework. The invitation recognizes Iloilo's growing reputation as a heritage destination.
"We have seen the positive impact of the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation on Iloilo City, and we consider this as a basis for a broader development direction," Treñas said. The UNESCO designation, received in 2023, made Iloilo the first Philippine city to earn the recognition. The mayor's participation builds on that momentum, positioning Iloilo as a globally recognized heritage city.
Learning from Singapore's Model
As part of her official trip, Mayor Treñas toured key Singapore sites that have integrated heritage conservation into urban development. The itinerary included Maxwell Food Centre, the KADA adaptive reuse project, Chinatown's historic districts, and the National Gallery Singapore. These visits offered insights into Singapore's heritage and urban conservation policies.
The lessons are particularly relevant for Iloilo City, given ongoing efforts to preserve Calle Real's heritage buildings and develop heritage tourism products. Three Calle Real buildings have already been submitted to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for redevelopment. The city also launched the Living Heritage Museum Tour in May 2026, covering ten historic sites.
Beyond Heritage: The Mayors Forum
Beyond the heritage session, Mayor Treñas has also been invited to the Mayors Forum's "Re-thinking Urban Energy Transition" plenary. This high-level platform gathers mayors and city leaders to discuss pressing urban challenges. Her participation underscores Iloilo's growing reputation in both cultural heritage and sustainable urban development.
The invitation complements recent initiatives such as the P74-million green tunnel along Diversion Road and the city's active mobility programs. Iloilo's MICE Alliance is also bidding to host the Philippine MICE Conference in 2027. The summit provides a platform to share Iloilo's story while learning from cities that have successfully integrated heritage into their economic strategies.
