ILOILO CITY — Mayor Raisa Treñas‑Chu joined hands with Belmont Hotel Iloilo for a Sampaguita planting activity at Mandurriao Plaza, transforming a public space into a fragrant welcome ahead of the hotel’s grand opening on June 24, 2026. The initiative marries hospitality with environmental stewardship.
A Fragrant Partnership Takes Root
The activity followed a June 10 discussion where the hotel’s Sampaguita Project found its home at Mandurriao Plaza instead of the Garden of Love. The national flower now lines the plaza, symbolizing devotion and Filipino pride. For guests and locals, the blooms offer a sensory introduction to the city’s evolving green landscape.
The Mayor expressed delight at seeing the idea materialize in a shared public space, making it more meaningful for Ilonggos. She stressed that the partnership goes beyond a single planting activity. Belmont Hotel’s long‑term commitment to nurturing the site ensures the blooms will be a lasting fixture, not a fleeting gesture.
Iloilo’s Largest Hotel Blossoms
Belmont Hotel Iloilo opens as the city’s largest hotel with 405 rooms spread across 12 storeys within the Iloilo Business Park. Its sheer capacity strengthens the city’s ability to host major events, conferences, and a growing influx of tourists. The Sampaguita planting serves as a community kickoff for this significant hospitality addition.
The Sampaguita Project aligns with the hotel’s signature brand experience, which uses the national flower to elevate guest touchpoints through the five senses. It also supports the property’s bid for a Green Hotel certification. This dual focus on heritage and sustainability positions the hotel as a responsible tourism player from day one.
Greening the City for Visitors and Locals
The Mandurriao planting is one piece of Iloilo’s aggressive urban greening push. Just days earlier, the city mobilized hundreds of volunteers to bag 5,000 tree seedlings at the Garden of Love and plant 40 native Banaba trees along Sunset Boulevard. These efforts target a rise in green cover from six percent to the international standard of thirty percent.
Expanding the urban canopy is a direct response to punishing heat indices that breached 40°C earlier this year. Cooler, shaded public spaces improve the walking experience for tourists exploring the city’s heritage and culinary sites. A greener Iloilo is a more comfortable and attractive destination.
A Global Vision Rooted in Local Action
Mayor Treñas‑Chu recently presented Iloilo’s eco‑focused blueprints at the World Cities Summit in Singapore, spotlighting linear parks as ASEAN models for climate resilience. The Sampaguita planting translates those global promises into tangible, on‑the‑ground action. It shows that international recognition is built through local partnerships.
The city has backed these initiatives with dedicated funding, including a six‑million‑peso allocation for Project TRANSFORM. This multi‑sectoral framework links scientists, communities, and corporations like Megaworld to reduce climate risks. The hotel’s involvement exemplifies how private capital can accelerate public environmental goals.
Commitment Beyond Planting
Belmont Hotel Iloilo has pledged ongoing care for the Sampaguita shrubs, ensuring they thrive long after the opening festivities. This sustained stewardship is what the Mayor called a “real long‑term commitment to sustainability.” It sets a benchmark for how incoming businesses can integrate into the community fabric.
For visitors, the newly bloomed plaza offers a serene spot to pause between exploring the Esplanade and the nearby business park. The scent of Sampaguita now mingles with the city’s growing reputation as a clean, green, and welcoming destination. As the hotel opens its doors, Iloilo’s green transformation continues to unfold.
