Iloilo City Proper

Iloilo City Proper (City Proper) (also locally known as Downtown, Ciudad, Iloilo Poblacion, or simply Iloílo) is one of the seven districts of Iloilo City in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is the second-most densely populated district, after Molo.[1][2] It serves as the civic center of the city, housing the seat of the city and provincial governments, as well as other local, provincial, and regional government offices. The district also houses the majority of the city's financial institutions, where banks and other firms can be found on every corner of the streets. Iloilo City Proper is the current economic and financial center of Iloilo. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 46,350 people.

This article is about the district of Iloilo City. For the city, see Iloilo City. For other uses, see Iloilo (disambiguation).
Iloilo City Proper
Iloílo
District of Iloilo City
From top, left to right: E. Villanueva Building; Iloilo City Hall; Old Iloilo City Hall; S. Javellana Building; Iloilo Customs House; Casa Real de Iloilo
Nickname(s): 
Old Iloilo, Heart of Iloilo
Motto(s): 
La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad
(The Most Loyal and Noble City)
Location within Iloilo City
Location within Iloilo City
Iloilo City Proper is located in Visayas, Philippines
Iloilo City Proper
Iloilo City Proper
Location in the Philippines
Iloilo City Proper is located in Philippines
Iloilo City Proper
Iloilo City Proper
Iloilo City Proper (Philippines)
Coordinates: 10°41′42.7194″N 122°33′52.92″E
Country Philippines
RegionWestern Visayas (Region VI)
ProvinceIloilo (geographically only)
CityIloilo City
Congressional DistrictLone district of Iloilo City
Established1602
CityhoodOctober 5, 1889
Reincorporated (as district)July 16, 1937
Barangays45 (see Barangays)
Government
 • MayorJerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City)
Area
 • Total3.75 km2 (1.45 sq mi)
Population
 (2020 census)
 • Total46,350
 • Density12,360/km2 (32,000/sq mi)
DemonymIlonggo
Time zoneUTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
ZIP code
5000
Area code33
Patron saintSanto Niño (district patronal saint)
Feast dayFourth Sunday of January in honor of Señor Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus (coincides with Dinagyang Festival)
Native languagesHiligaynon
Websitewww.iloilocity.gov.ph

Iloilo City Proper influenced the city's and province's present name from its Irong-Irong reference. During its heyday, it was called Yloylo or Iloílo, which was its original name.[3]

In current modern times, old 19th and 20th-century buildings can still be found across the district, particularly along the entire street of J.M. Basa, popularly known as Calle Real.

Etymology

The name "Iloilo" is derived from the older name "Ilong-ilong" (Philippine Spanish: Ilong̃-ílong̃) meaning "nose-like", referring to the promontory between two rivers (Iloilo and Batiano) where the Fort San Pedro and the 17th-century Spanish port in the district were located.[4][5][6][7]

History
See also: Iloilo_City § History

Early colonial period

Iloilo City Proper, or simply Iloilo, was founded and inhabited as La Punta in 1602 when Spanish and Chinese residents from Jaro and Molo, respectively, expanded their territorial areas. In 1700, it became the capital and the seat of power of the Spaniards in the province, which they transferred from La Villa Rica de Arevalo due to continuous attacks by Moros and Dutch.

Late colonial period and economic boom

Iloilo emerged as a trading port in the 19th century. Its geographical and economic significance eventually evolved when China, Norway, and the United Kingdom opened up their consulates to conduct trade and commerce in the town, especially during its foundation as an international port in the 1850s. As a result, the commercial activity in Iloilo increased, as well as the infrastructures, recreational facilities, education institutions, banks, foreign consulates, and commercial firms.

Cityhood
Aerial view of Iloilo City Proper, circa early 1900s.

On October 5, 1889, due to the economic development in Iloilo, making it the most important port in the Philippines next to the capital, Manila,[8] Iloilo was raised from the status of a town to a city through a Royal Decree,[9][10] and in 1890, the city government was established.

Revolutionary period (1896-1898)

Due to the loyalty of the Ilonggos, the city of Iloilo was honored with the perpetual title of La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad (The Most Loyal and Noble City). The Royal Decree granting this title was signed on March 1, 1898, by Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain. Over time, this title earned for Iloilo the reputation of being the Queen's Favored City in the South or simply Queen's City in the South, which later evolved into the Queen City of the South, being the second Spanish port of importance next to Manila and being located south of the archipelago's capital city.

On December 25, 1898, the Spanish government surrendered to the Ilonggo revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado at Plaza Alfonso XII (now Plaza Libertad). It was site where the Philippine flag was raised for the first time on the island of Panay.[11]

Iloilo City consolidation

In the 20th century, all economic activities shifted from Jaro and Molo to the city of Iloilo when businesses aggressively flourished here. It was re-chartered by the American government on July 16, 1937, and absorbed the old towns of Molo, Arevalo, Mandurriao, and La Paz. On January 7, 1941, the city of Jaro was also incorporated into greater Iloilo City.

21st century

Iloilo City Proper, as a district, remains the economic and political center of the city and the whole province.

Economy
Calle Real, the center of business in old Iloilo.

Being the original territory of the city of Iloilo, it has served as the center of trade, commerce, banking and finance, education, retail trading, real estate, and industry in Iloilo since its foundation in the early 17th century. Iloilo City Proper has one of the largest numbers of banks and other financial institutions in the country, hence being named as the financial capital of Western Visayas.[12] Calle Real, along with Iznart St., Gen. Luna St., and Ledesma St., has the most service and commercial establishments among all the districts and has remained one of the most important areas for local businesses in the city.

Iloilo City Hall grounds.

The district is home to the main government building of the Province of Iloilo, the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, and the seat of the city government, Iloilo City Hall. Other main agencies of the government are also located in the City Proper.

For the past few years, there have been proposals for island-type reclamation along the southern coastlines of the City Proper to expand the district's commercial area, which is running out of space for new developments and has caused Mandurriao the concentration of modern developments in Iloilo City for the past two decades.[13]

On August 2, 2022, the Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. signed a 25-year lease agreement for the redevelopment of the two largest Iloilo City public markets, Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market, both located in Iloilo City Proper.[14]

Education

Iloilo City Proper is home to half of the universities in Iloilo City. Some of the notable universities and schools in the district are the following:

University of the Philippines Visayas – Iloilo City campus's main hall.


Higher education institutions:

Basic educational institutions:

  • Assumption Iloilo
  • Sun Yat Sen High School
  • Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School
  • Iloilo Central Elementary School
  • SPED Integrated School for Exceptional Children
  • Iloilo American Memorial School
  • Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School - Kahirupan
  • Rizal Elementary School - Bonifacio Tanza
  • I. Arroyo Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School - Rizal Street
  • Rizal Elementary School
  • Center for West Visayan Studies
  • A. Montes Elementary School I
  • A.Montes Elementary School 2
  • Fort San Pedro National High School

Transportation
Jeepneys roaming in Calle Real, Iloilo City Proper.

Public transport

The primary modes of public transportation in Iloilo City Proper are passenger jeepneys and metered taxis. The transportation routes in Iloilo City are mostly focused on the district, which is the center of commerce in the city.

In contrast to President Rodrigo Duterte's administration's plan to phase out old, dilapidated jeepneys as the primary mode of mass public transportation in the Philippines, the city has recently begun to adopt mini-buses like modern PUJs or modern Jeepneys that are now plying in the city, including Iloilo City Proper.[15][16]

Cycling

Iloilo City has been hailed as the Bike Capital of the Philippines. There are also several painted bicycle lanes in Iloilo City Proper that can be found on its main roads, including Gen. Luna Street, Delgado Street, Mabini Street, Infante Street, and the esplanade along Muelle Loney Street.[17]

Railway
Main article: Panay Railways

From 1907 to the 1980s, Panay Railways operated a railroad from Roxas City to the port area of Iloilo City Proper.[18] In 2022, Panay Railways announced its opening to foreign ownership to reconstruct its former train lines, which will reconnect the district and city to other major cities in Panay, including Caticlan in Malay, Aklan.[19]

Airport and seaport
Main articles: Iloilo International Airport and Port of Iloilo

The Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, is the primary airport serving the district of Iloilo City Proper, as well as the whole Metro Iloilo–Guimaras. It serves domestic air routes to Manila, Clark, Cebu, Cuyo Island, Puerto Princesa, Sipalay, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Davao City. It is also served by international routes to and from Singapore and Hong Kong.[20]

The Port of Iloilo, which is located near Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper, serves domestic shipping and cargo routes to/from Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Davao, and General Santos. The Iloilo International Cargo Port, in the adjacent Lapuz district, is a port of call for foreign cargo vessels.

Guiamras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola

The Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal, which is located in Parola, serves ferry routes to Jordan and Buenavista in Guimaras, and vice versa.

Barangays

Iloilo City Proper has the most barangays in Iloilo City with a total of 45 barangays. City Proper is the second-most densely populated Iloilo City district with a population density of 12,435 people per square kilometer.

Barangays Population

(2020)

 Area Density
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Arsenal Aduana 170 0.08 0.031 2,100 5,400
Baybay Tanza 2,106 0.25 0.097 8,400 22,000
Bonifacio Tanza 2,881 0.04 0.015 72,000 190,000
Concepcion-Montes 2,550 0.22 0.085 12,000 31,000
Danao 278 0.20 0.077 1,400 3,600
Delgado-Jalandoni-Bagumbayan 218 0.02 0.0077 11,000 28,000
Edganzon 360 0.10 0.039 3,600 9,300
Flores 187 0.04 0.015 4,700 12,000
General Hughes-Montes 1,895 0.09 0.035 21,000 54,000
Gloria 138 0.02 0.0077 6,900 18,000
Hipodromo 629 0.05 0.019 13,000 34,000
Inday 234 0.15 0.058 1,600 4,100
Jalandoni-Wilson 827 0.06 0.023 14,000 36,000
Kahirupan 443 0.03 0.012 15,000 39,000
Kauswagan 386 0.04 0.015 9,700 25,000
Legaspi dela Rama 764 0.12 0.046 6,400 17,000
Liberation 335 0.05 0.019 6,700 17,000
Mabolo-Delgado 1,044 0.05 0.019 21,000 54,000
Magsaysay 301 0.07 0.027 4,300 11,000
Malipayon-Delgado 752 0.02 0.0077 38,000 98,000
Maria Clara 575 0.06 0.023 9,600 25,000
Monica Blumentritt 1,305 0.06 0.023 22,000 57,000
Muelle Loney-Montes 1,109 0.09 0.035 12,000 31,000
Nonoy 355 0.08 0.031 4,400 11,000
Ortiz 1,272 0.10 0.039 13,000 34,000
Osmeña 90 0.03 0.012 3,000 7,800
President Roxas 181 0.20 0.077 910 2,400
Rima-Rizal 633 0.01 0.0039 63,000 160,000
Rizal Estanzuela 3,215 0.04 0.015 80,000 210,000
Rizal Ibarra 560 0.03 0.012 19,000 49,000
Rizal Palapala I 1,699 0.02 0.0077 85,000 220,000
Rizal Palapala II 2,228 0.03 0.012 74,000 190,000
Roxas Village 51 0.04 0.015 1,300 3,400
Sampaguita 355 0.13 0.050 2,700 7,000
San Agustin 516 0.19 0.073 2,700 7,000
San Felix 1,006 0.10 0.039 10,000 26,000
San Jose 231 0.03 0.012 7,700 20,000
Santo Rosario-Duran 1,608 0.11 0.042 15,000 39,000
Tanza-Esperanza 1,806 0.06 0.023 30,000 78,000
Timawa Tanza I 413 0.02 0.0077 21,000 54,000
Timawa Tanza II 1,367 0.04 0.015 34,000 88,000
Veterans Village 5,373 0.23 0.089 23,000 60,000
Villa Anita 1,051 0.12 0.046 8,800 23,000
Yulo-Arroyo 155 0.04 0.015 3,900 10,000
Zamora-Melliza 2,698 0.15 0.058 18,000 47,000
Iloilo City Proper 46,350 3.75 1.45 12,000 32,000
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays
  • San José de Placer Church, the first ever church in the city of Iloilo, and was built in 1607.
    San José de Placer Church, the first ever church in the city of Iloilo, and was built in 1607.
  • Plaza Libertad, a historic plaza where the flag of the first Philippine Republic was raised.
    Plaza Libertad, a historic plaza where the flag of the first Philippine Republic was raised.
  • Calle Real, a historical street, contains several fine neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art-deco buildings.
    Calle Real, a historical street, contains several fine neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art-deco buildings.
  • Eusebio Villanueva Building, once known as the International Hotel, located along Calle Real.
    Eusebio Villanueva Building, once known as the International Hotel, located along Calle Real.
  • Iloilo Central Public Market, an art-deco public market, built during the early 20th century.
    Iloilo Central Public Market, an art-deco public market, built during the early 20th century.
  • Museo Iloilo, a museum that houses the city and province of Iloilo's cultural heritage.
    Museo Iloilo, a museum that houses the city and province of Iloilo's cultural heritage.
  • Lin-ay sang Iloilo (Lady of Iloilo), an 18-foot bronze statue on top of Iloilo City Hall's dome.
    Lin-ay sang Iloilo (Lady of Iloilo), an 18-foot bronze statue on top of Iloilo City Hall's dome.
  • Aduana de Iloilo (Iloilo Customs House), one of the three customs houses in the Philippines.
    Aduana de Iloilo (Iloilo Customs House), one of the three customs houses in the Philippines.
  • Edificio Elizalde y Cia Building, a hundred-year-old structure that now houses the Philippine Museum of Economic History.
    Edificio Elizalde y Cia Building, a hundred-year-old structure that now houses the Philippine Museum of Economic History.

See also

References
  1. "Iloilo...My City...My Pride". Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  2. https://iloilocity.gov.ph/main/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Vol1_CLUP-3-3-21-final-draft-1.pdf
  3. "Iloilo...My City...My Pride". Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. de Mentrida, Alonso (1841). Diccionario De La Lengua Bisaya, Hiligueina Y Haraya de la isla de Panay. En La Imprenta De D. Manuel Y De D. Felis Dayot. pp. 202–203.
  5. Doeppers, Daniel F. (2017). "The Development of Philippine Cities Before 1900". In Frost, Lionel (ed.). Urbanization and the Pacific World, 1500–1900. Lands, Peoples, and History of the Pacific, 1500–1900. Vol. 15. Routledge. ISBN 9781351876346.
  6. Law, Gwillim (2015). Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998. McFarland. p. 289. ISBN 9781476604473.
  7. Romuáldez, Norberto (1908). A Bisayan Grammar and Notes on Bisayan Rhetoric and Poetics and Filipino Dialectology. Tacloban: Pag Pahayag Co.
  8. Funtecha, Henry (2000). "The Urbanization of the Town of Iloilo, 1865–1900". Selected Papers on Cities in Philippine History. Philippine National Historical Society: 89–108.
  9. The actual words of the Royal Decree says: "A propuesta del Ministro de Ultramar, y teniendo en cuenta el creciente desarrollo que en la industria y el commercio ha alcanzado la cabecera de la provincia de Ilo-Ilo, la más importante de las islas de Filipinas, despues de la de Manila; En nombre de mi Augusto Hijo el Rey D. Alfonso XIII, y como Reina Regente del Reino, Vengo en conceder el titulo de la Ciudad á la cebecera de Ilo-Ilo, en dichas islas. Dado en San Sebastian á cinco de Octubre de mil ochocientos ochenta y nueve. Maria Cristina" Cf. Decreto Real de la Reina Regente Maria Cristina (5 Octubre 1889) en Gazeta de Madrid, N. 298, 25 Octubre 1889, p. 238.
  10. "TIF file".
  11. John, Foreman, The Philippine Islands: a political, geographical, ethnographical, social and commercial history of the Philippine Archipelago, embracing the whole period of Spanish rule, with an account of the succeeding American insular government, New York: 1907, C. Scribner's Sons, p. 478.
  12. Nicolas, Jino (January 23, 2018). "The beacon of Western Visayas". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  13. Guardian, Daily (May 17, 2022). "Reclamation projects eyed in Iloilo City coastlines to expand commercial area". Daily Guardian. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. Lena, Perla (August 2, 2022). "Initial P3-B allotted to redevelop Iloilo City's 2 public markets". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  15. Modern jeepneys to ply 3 new Iloilo routes. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  16. 'Modernized' jeeps start plying Iloilo routes. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  17. Tour on two wheels: Seeing Iloilo City's historic sights by bike. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  18. "Panay Railways". www.thenewstoday.info. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  19. Guardian, Daily (March 23, 2022). "Panay Railways chief open to foreign ownership to rehab defunct rail system". Daily Guardian. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  20. "Philippines' Iloilo airport readies for int'l flights". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
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