ILOILO CITY — A citywide program is strengthening Iloilo's first line of defense against fires and emergencies, directly protecting homes, businesses, and property values. From June 5 to 7, 2026, the Iloilo City Fire Station and the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted orientation and initial training for barangay responders across the city's seven districts. The training is part of BAeRISE 2.0, a program that equips community responders with critical emergency skills.
BAeRISE 2.0, which stands for Barangay Empowerment for Rescue Initiatives, Safety, and Emergencies, focuses on fire prevention, risk reduction, and emergency response. The sessions highlighted common hazards and practical steps to reduce risks and protect lives and property. For property investors and homeowners, the program adds a measurable layer of safety that directly supports real estate values.
Community Responders as Property Protectors
The program is anchored on the Rise to Action Roadmap of Mayor Raisa Treñas and implemented through a partnership between the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The month‑long training includes fire prevention, basic firefighting, and first aid, delivered through lectures, demonstrations, and hands‑on exercises.
For the real estate sector, the value of trained barangay responders is immediate and tangible. A community with certified first responders can contain fires before they spread, reducing property damage and protecting surrounding structures. This capability translates into lower insurance premiums, stronger buyer confidence, and enhanced neighborhood desirability. Homebuyers increasingly factor safety infrastructure into their purchase decisions, and BAeRISE 2.0 delivers exactly that.
Building on Iloilo's Resilience Reputation
Iloilo City has already earned recognition for its disaster preparedness, having won four consecutive Gold Awards for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. The BAeRISE 2.0 program extends that institutional strength to the barangay level, creating a network of trained responders who can act before professional firefighting units arrive. The program reinforces Iloilo's reputation as one of Southeast Asia's safest and most livable cities.
The training also complements the city's broader push for climate resilience and sustainable urban development. Iloilo holds two ASEAN Clean Tourist City awards and a UNEP Role Model City citation for mangrove restoration. Each safety credential adds to the city's investment appeal, making it more attractive to developers, BPO locators, and families seeking secure communities.
A Safer City, A Stronger Market
The BAeRISE 2.0 program directly benefits Iloilo's property market, which already leads the Visayas‑Mindanao region. Colliers Philippines reported a 96 percent house‑and‑lot take‑up rate in early 2026, with condominium absorption at 89 percent. The city has outpaced Metro Cebu in total office transactions for the first time, driven by high‑value outsourcing firms and global capability centers.
The program supports the city's growing portfolio of green and safe infrastructure, which includes solar‑powered cooling hubs, a coastal greenbelt ordinance, and an expanding bike lane network. By investing in barangay‑level emergency response, Iloilo is protecting its existing property stock while making future developments more secure. For developers, the message is clear: Iloilo is a city that invests in protecting what it builds.
