Iloilo City secures P17.6 million grant for MICE; TIEZA pledges additional P150M for heritage plazas

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) COO Dr. Mark Lapid lead the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for a P17.6 million grant aimed at strengthening Iloilo City’s position as a premier MICE destination. Joining them to witness the milestone are (L-R) Leny Ledesma, Executive Assistant to the Mayor for Special Projects; Lea Lara, Director of Iloilo City MICE Center; Atty. King Bauyon, TIEZA Chief of Staff; Natalie Lim, Chairperson of Iloilo MICE Alliance; Allan Tan, Treasurer of Iloilo MICE Alliance; and Atty. Rheinhart Pahilla, Attorney III, City Legal Office.

Iloilo City is reinforcing its standing as a premier tourism powerhouse with a P17.6 million grant from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to boost its Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, alongside a significant P150 million commitment for heritage plaza redevelopment.

The grant, to be disbursed over the next five years, will be earmarked to expand the city’s capacity to host major local and international meetings, conventions, and exhibitions, solidifying its position as a top-tier business destination.

TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid noted that the investment is driven by Iloilo City’s unique competitive edge, adding that the initiative stemmed from a collaborative vision championed by former Senator Franklin Drilon to formulate a comprehensive MICE development plan. 

“Iloilo City is strategically positioned to fulfill its vision of becoming a leading hub for MICE, supported by its advantageous geographic location, expanding direct air connectivity from major Asian destinations, diverse tourism assets, and a highly skilled service workforce,” stated Lapid.

“The branding is already there—from being a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy to a cultural hub. Our job now is to promote and sustain it,” Lapid added. “Work becomes easier when everyone helps each other. With the private sector, the national government, and the city government all on board, nothing is hard. We are fully committed to this partnership because TIEZA believes in Iloilo City.”

Underscoring the agency’s support, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas revealed that the city is currently facing a “good problem” of overwhelming demand.

“Last year alone, the Iloilo Convention Center hosted over 150 events. As early as January, our schedule is already fully booked, and we have received reports that the waitlist now extends to one year,” Treñas disclosed.

“This funding marks a significant milestone in our effort to make the city a global hub for world-class events. Through strong collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders who are members of the MICE Alliance, we are building a future-ready destination that benefits our people and industries,” Mayor Treñas affirmed.

Anchoring the city’s readiness is the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), a TIEZA asset and flagship venue recently hailed as the Philippines’ Best Convention Center at the 6th Annual World MICE Awards. With a seating capacity of 3,816, the ICON serves as the crown jewel of Iloilo City’s robust infrastructure, which now boasts over 5,100 hotel rooms and event spaces capable of hosting up to 25,000 delegates.

Expanded partnership in heritage and culture

Beyond the convention halls, the partnership between the city government and TIEZA extends to the preservation of Iloilo City’s historic core. Mayor Treñas announced that TIEZA has committed an additional P150 million for the redevelopment of the city’s iconic plazas—specifically Molo, La Paz, and Jaro.

“This funding will allow us to finalize the redevelopment of our plazas and our tourist attractions, ensuring they are on par with the public spaces found in European cities,” Treñas said.

During the first year of the grant, the MICE Center of Iloilo City, in partnership with the MICE Alliance, will focus on developing local capacities. Key initiatives will include stakeholder trainings, updating tourism inventories and directories, and launching targeted marketing campaigns to network with organizations and institutions capable of bringing large-scale delegations to lloilo City.

Projects and activities will progress towards sector-specific market development and later its expansion.

A dedicated project team will be created to oversee, implement, and monitor these initiatives, ensuring efficient management and long-term economic benefits for the Ilonggo community.