View source for Iloilo City

{{Short description|Highly-urbanized city and capital of Iloilo, Philippines}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = {{PH wikidata|name}}
| official_name      = 
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border      = infobox
| total_width = 300
| image_style = border
| perrow      = 1/2/3/2
| image1      = Mandurriao Iloilo City skyline 2025 (enhanced).jpg{{!}} Mandurriao, one of the seven districts of Iloilo City, is home to the city's modern developments
| alt1        = The skyline of the Mandurriao district
| caption1    = The skyline of the [[Mandurriao]] district
| image2      = Villanueva Building (Calle Real) in Iloilo City.jpg{{!}} Eusebio Villanueva Building on Calle Real, a historic street located in Iloilo City Proper
| alt2        = Eusebio Villanueva Building on Calle Real Heritage Zone
| caption2    = [[Calle Real Heritage Zone]]
| image3      = Molo Church view (with the Plaza Molo fountain).jpg{{!}} Molo Church, a 'feminist' neo-Gothic Roman Catholic church
| alt3        = Molo Church in Molo district
| caption3    = [[Molo Church]]
| image4      = Jaro Belfry (Campanario de Jaro) View.jpg{{!}} Jaro Belfry, a 1744 bell tower in front of the Jaro Cathedral
| alt4        = Jaro Belfry (Campanario de Jaro) View.jpg
| caption4    = [[Jaro Belfry]]
| image5      = Statue_of_Graciano_Lopez-Jaena.jpg{{!}} Statue of Graciano Lopez-Jaena in Plaza Jaro (Graciano Lopez-Jaena Park)
| alt5        = Graciano López Jaena statue
| caption5    = [[Graciano López Jaena|Graciano López-Jaena]] Monument
| image6      =Molo Mansion in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines (cropped).jpg {{!}} Molo Mansion, a 1926 neoclassical and art deco heritage house
| alt6        = Molo Mansion in Molo district
| caption6    = [[Molo Mansion]]
| image7      = Jaro Cathedral (Catedral de Jaro) (cropped).jpg{{!}} Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, the center of Candelaria devotion in the Philippine islands
| alt7        = Jaro Cathedral in Jaro district
| caption7    = [[Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral]]
| image8      = Iloilo River Esplanade Sunrise.jpg{{!}} Iloilo River Esplanade, the longest linear park in the Philippines
| alt8        = Iloilo River Esplanade along Iloilo River 
| caption8    = [[Iloilo River Esplanade]]
}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Iloilo City.jpg
| image_seal         = {{PH wikidata|image_seal}}
| seal_size          = 100x80px
| image_blank_emblem = Iloilo City logo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Logo]] and [[wordmark]]
| blank_emblem_size  = 150px
| nicknames          = City of Love and [[Nicknames of Iloilo City|others]]
| motto              = ''La muy leal y noble ciudad de Iloílo'' {{small|({{Translation|The Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo}})}}
| anthem             = 
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption        = {{PH wikidata|map_caption}}
| mapframe = yes
| pushpin_map        = Philippines
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the {{PH wikidata|country}}
| coordinates        = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| settlement_type    = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Philippines]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Iloilo]] {{small|(geographically only)}}
| subdivision_type3  = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#District representation|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = {{PH legislative district}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = 1566 <small>(Spanish settlement)</small>
| established_title1 = Cityhood
| established_date1  = October 5, 1889
| established_title2 = Reincorporated
| established_date2  = July 16, 1937
| established_title3 = Highly urbanized city
| established_date3  = December 22, 1979
| seat_type          = [[Barangay]]s
| seat               = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}  (see [[#Barangays and districts|Barangays and districts]])
| parts_type         = [[Administrative divisions of the Philippines#Local administrative districts|City geographical districts]]
| p1                 = [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]]
| p2                 = [[City Proper, Iloilo City|City Proper]]
| p3                 = [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]]
| p4                 = [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]]
| p5                 = [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]]
| p6                 = [[Mandurriao, Iloilo City|Mandurriao]]
| p7                 = [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Iloilo City|Mayor]] <!--mayor-->
| leader_name        = [[Raisa Treñas|Raisa Maria Lourdes S. Treñas-Chu]] ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Lady Julie Grace L. Baronda ([[Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats|Lakas]])
| leader_title2      = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#Current composition|City Representative]] <!--congressman or congresswoman -->
| leader_name2       = [[Julienne Baronda|Julienne L. Baronda]] ([[Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats|Lakas]])
| leader_title3      = [[Sangguniang Panlungsod|City Council]]
| leader_name3       = {{PH Town Council
 | 1 = <div style="border-style:solid none;border-width:thin;border-color:Gainsboro;background-color:#e6e6e6;text-align:center;width:95%;font-variant:small-caps;"></div>
 | 2=Sedfrey L. Cabaluna
 | 3=Jose Maria Miguel S. Treñas
 | 4=Rex Marcus B. Sarabia
 | 5=Alan A. Zaldivar
 | 6=Lyndon V. Acap
 | 7=Jose Maria B. Dela Llana
 | 8=Mandrie T. Malabor
 | 9=Johnny Y. Young
 | 10=Romel D. Duron
 | 11=Rudolph Jeffrey O. Ganzon
 | 12=Sheen Marie S. Mabilog
 | 13=Frances Graces V. Parcon-Torres
}}
| leader_title4      = [[Elections in the Philippines#Qualification|Electorate]]
| leader_name4       = {{PH wikidata|electorate}} voters ([[Philippine general election, {{PH wikidata|electorate_point_in_time}}|{{PH wikidata|electorate_point_in_time}}]])
| government_type    = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| government_footnotes = {{thinsp}}<ref>{{DILG detail}}</ref>
| total_type         = City
| elevation_m        = {{PH wikidata|elevation_m}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m    = 175
| elevation_min_m    = -1
| elevation_max_rank = 
| elevation_min_rank = 
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| area_urban_km2     = 91
| area_metro_km2     = 1105.53
| area_footnotes     = {{PH area}}
| area_total_km2     = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| population_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|population_reference}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban   = 574000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Demographia World Urban Areas PDF (March 2020) |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |access-date=November 24, 2013 |publisher=Demographia |archive-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503021711/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_metro   = 1039935 <!-- Metro Iloilo-Guimaras population -->
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = [[Household]]s
| population_blank1  = {{PH wikidata|household}}<ref>{{cite web
| url          = https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Housing%20Tables%20by%20City_%20Municipality.xlsx
| title        = Housing Characteristics in the Philippines (Results of the 2015 Census of Population)
| publisher    = Philippine Statistics Authority
| access-date  = May 25, 2020
| archive-date = May 4, 2020
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20200504134855/http://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Housing%20Tables%20by%20City_%20Municipality.xlsx
| url-status   = live
}}</ref>
| population_demonym = Ilonggo ([[English language|en]]), ''Ilonggo'' (f. ''-a'') ([[Hiligaynon language|hil]]/[[Filipino language|fil]]), ''ilongo'' (f. ''-a'') ([[Spanish language|es]])
| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| postal_code_type   = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| postal2_code_type  = {{PSGCstyle}}
| postal2_code       = {{PSGC detail}}
| area_code_type     = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code          = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| website            = {{PH wikidata|website}}
| demographics_type1 = Economy
| demographics1_title1 = [[Gross domestic product]] (GDP)
| demographics1_info1 = ₱145.05 billion (2022)<ref name="gdpiloilo2021">{{Cite web|title=2022 Economic Performance of Highly Urbanized Cities Outside the National Capital Region|url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-economic-performance-highly-urbanized-cities-outside-national-capital-region|access-date=2024-03-05|website=[[Philippine Statistics Authority]]|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305005218/https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-economic-performance-highly-urbanized-cities-outside-national-capital-region|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>
$2.563 billion (2022)<ref name="imfdec2022phptousd">{{Cite web|title=PH₱56.598 per dollar (per International Monetary Fund on Representative Exchange Rates for Selected Currencies for December 2022)|url=https://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_mth.aspx?SelectDate=2022-12-31&reportType=REP|access-date=2024-06-20|website=[[IMF]]}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = {{PH wikidata|income_class_title}}
| demographics1_info2 = {{PH wikidata|income_class}}
| demographics1_title3 = [[Measuring poverty|Poverty incidence]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence}}% ({{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_point_in_time}}){{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_footnotes}}
| demographics1_title4 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| demographics1_info4 = {{increase}} 0.885 ({{fontcolor|DarkGreen|Very High}})
| demographics1_title5 = [[Revenue]]
| demographics1_info5 = {{PH wikidata|revenue}} {{PH wikidata|revenue_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title6 = [[Assets]]
| demographics1_info6 = {{PH wikidata|assets}} {{PH wikidata|assets_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title7 = [[Expenditure]]
| demographics1_info7 = {{PH wikidata|expenditure}} {{PH wikidata|expenditure_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title8 = [[Liability (financial accounting)|Liabilities]]
| demographics1_info8 = {{PH wikidata|liabilities}} {{PH wikidata|liabilities_point_in_time}}
| demographics_type2 = Service provider
| demographics2_title1 = [[List of electric distribution utilities in the Philippines|Electricity]]
| demographics2_info1 = {{PH electricity distribution | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}
| demographics2_title2 = Water
| demographics2_info2 = Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW)
| demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications
| demographics2_info3 = 
| demographics2_title4 = Cable TV
| demographics2_info4 = 
| demographics2_title5 = 
| demographics2_info5 = 
| demographics2_title6 = 
| demographics2_info6 = 
| demographics2_title7 = 
| demographics2_info7 = 
| demographics2_title8 = 
| demographics2_info8 = 
| demographics2_title9 = 
| demographics2_info9 = 
| demographics2_title10 = 
| demographics2_info10 = 
| blank_name_sec1    = {{PH wikidata|climate_title}}
| blank_info_sec1    = {{PH wikidata|climate_type}}
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Languages of the Philippines|Native languages]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Hiligaynon language|Hiligaynon/Ilonggo]]
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Crime index]]
| blank2_info_sec1   = 
| blank3_name_sec1   = 
| blank3_info_sec1   = 
| blank4_name_sec1   = 
| blank4_info_sec1   = 
| blank5_name_sec1   = 
| blank5_info_sec1   = 
| blank6_name_sec1   = 
| blank6_info_sec1   = 
| blank7_name_sec1   = 
| blank7_info_sec1   = 
| blank1_name_sec2   = Religions
| blank1_info_sec2   = 
| blank2_name_sec2   = 
| blank2_info_sec2   = 
| blank3_name_sec2   = Catholic diocese
| blank3_info_sec2   = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro|Archdiocese of Jaro]]
| blank4_name_sec2   = Patron saint
| blank4_info_sec2   = ''[[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro|Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria]]'' (English: Our Lady of Purification and Candle)
| blank5_name_sec2   = 
| blank5_info_sec2   = 
| blank6_name_sec2   = 
| blank6_info_sec2   = 
| blank7_name_sec2   = 
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| short_description  = 
| footnotes          = 
| other_name         = 
}}

'''Iloilo City''', officially the '''City of Iloilo''' ({{langx|hil|Dakbanwa sang Iloilo}}; {{langx|tl|Lungsod ng Iloilo}}; {{Langx|es|Ciudad de Iloílo}}), is a [[Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification|highly urbanized city]] in the [[Western Visayas]] [[Regions of the Philippines|region]] of the [[Philippines]], located on the southeastern coast of the island of [[Panay]]. According to the {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}, it has a population of {{PH wikidata|population_total}} people, making it the most populous city in Western Visayas.{{PH wikidata|population_reference}} For the [[Iloilo–Guimaras metropolitan area]], the total population is 1,039,935 people.<ref name="migedc">{{cite web |title=Member Municipalities of Metro Iloilo–Guimaras |url=http://www.migedc.org.ph/main/members |publisher=MIGEDC: Metro-Iloilo–Guimaras Economic Development Council |accessdate=September 7, 2009 |archive-date=October 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029170422/http://www.migedc.org.ph/main/members |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city is a [[Merger (politics)|conglomeration]] of former towns, now organized into [[Districts of Iloilo City|seven geographical or administrative districts]]: [[City Proper, Iloilo City|the City Proper]], [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]], [[Mandurriao]], [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]], [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]], and [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]].<ref name="thenewstoday.info">[http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/12/22/city.to.recognize.lapuz.as.separate.district.from.la.paz.html City to recognize Lapuz as separate district from La Paz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032606/http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/12/22/city.to.recognize.lapuz.as.separate.district.from.la.paz.html|date=March 26, 2023}}. Thenewstoday.info (December 22, 2008). Retrieved on November 7, 2011.</ref> It is the largest city and capital of the [[Iloilo]] province, where the city is geographically situated and grouped under the [[Philippine Statistics Authority]], but remains politically independent in terms of government and administration. Iloilo City is the regional center of Western Visayas and serves as the hub for trade, commerce, industry, education, religion, healthcare, tourism, culture, and culinary arts.

In 1566, the Spanish settled in Iloilo, establishing it as the second Spanish colonial center in the Philippines after [[Cebu City|Cebu]]. The city was bestowed with the honorific title "''La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad''" (Most Loyal and Noble City) by [[List of Spanish regents|Queen Regent]] [[Maria Christina of Austria]] in recognition of its loyalty to the Spanish crown during the [[Philippine Revolution]].''<ref name="Inquirer-Badge">{{cite news |last1=Burgos |first1=Nestor P. Jr. |date=June 11, 2015 |title=Groups see Iloilo title as 'badge of betrayal' |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/697568/groups-see-iloilo-title-as-badge-of-betrayal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613014535/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/697568/groups-see-iloilo-title-as-badge-of-betrayal |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}}</ref>'' Iloilo City served as the last capital of the [[Spanish Empire]] in [[Spanish East Indies|Asia and the Pacific]] before the Philippines was ceded to the [[United States]] in 1898 through the [[Treaty of Paris (1898)|Treaty of Paris]].<ref name="The end of the Spanish Empire in Iloilo">[https://opinion.inquirer.net/94061/end-spanish-empire-iloilo/amp The end of the Spanish Empire in Iloilo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028051344/https://opinion.inquirer.net/94061/end-spanish-empire-iloilo/amp |date=October 28, 2021 }}. Retrieved 24 October 2020.</ref> At the turn of the 20th century, Iloilo City was considered the second most important city in the Philippines, next to [[Manila]], and was widely known as the "Queen City of the South."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo City History {{!}} Tourist Spots, Language and Festivals |url=https://philippinescities.com/iloilo-city2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123113848/https://philippinescities.com/iloilo-city2/ |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-23 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Funtecha |first=Henry F. |date=September 7, 2007 |title=Communication facilities in Iloilo, early 20th C. |url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/09/07/communication.facilities.in.iloilo.early.20th.c.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927035600/http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/09/07/communication.facilities.in.iloilo.early.20th.c.html |archive-date=2022-09-27 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=www.thenewstoday.info}}</ref>

Recognized as a [[UNESCO Creative Cities Network|UNESCO Creative]] [[City of Gastronomy]], Iloilo City is known for its signature dishes such as [[Batchoy|La Paz Batchoy]], [[Pancit Molo]], [[Kadyos, baboy, kag langka|Kadyos-Baboy-Langka]] (KBL), [[Laswa]], and [[Cansi|Kansi]]. Iloilo City has several heritage sites from the [[History of the Philippines (1565–1898)|Spanish]] and [[American colonial era in the Philippines|American colonial]] periods, including the [[Calle Real Heritage Zone]]. Iloilo City is considered a [[Holy city|pilgrim city]] and is known as the center of [[Virgin of Candelaria|Candelaria]] devotion in the Philippines, as it home to the ''[[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro]]'', the first Marian image in Asia to be canonically crowned in person by a pope, now [[Pope John Paul II|Saint John Paul II]]. The city is known for the [[Dinagyang Festival]], a popular cultural and religious festival held every January, in honor of [[Santo Niño de Cebu|''Santo Niño'']].

Iloilo City is among the fastest-developing cities in the Philippines, experiencing significant annual growth since the redevelopment of the [[Mandurriao Airport|old airport in Mandurriao]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=visayas_wv |date=2024-12-02 |title=Iloilo City records highest economic growth in Western Visayas |url=https://pia.gov.ph/iloilo-city-records-highest-economic-growth-in-western-visayas/#:~:text=ILOILO%20CITY%20(PIA)%20%E2%80%93%20Marking,Urbanized%20Cities%20in%20the%20country. |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Philippine Information Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Information technology|IT]]-[[BPO Industry|BPM]] industry in the city continues to thrive and remains in high demand. It has been recognized as a top location for outsourcing expansion outside [[Metro Manila]] and is the third-largest hub for the industry in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-23 |title=ILOILO TIPPED FOR HUGE BPO BOOM; City projected to be 3rd largest PH BPO hub |url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-tipped-for-huge-bpo-boom-city-projected-to-be-3rd-largest-ph-bpo-hub/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831184536/https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-tipped-for-huge-bpo-boom-city-projected-to-be-3rd-largest-ph-bpo-hub/ |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=www.panaynews.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-19 |title=ILOILO CITY'S BPO INDUSTRY SOARS; From humble beginnings to unprecedented growth |url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-citys-bpo-industry-soars-from-humble-beginnings-to-unprecedented-growth/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Etymology==

{{see also|Nicknames of Iloilo City}}The name "Iloilo" is derived from the older name "Irong-irong" ([[Philippine Spanish]]: ''Ilong̃-ílong̃'') meaning "nose-like", referring to the [[promontory]] between two rivers ([[Iloilo River|Iloilo]] and [[Batiano River|Batiano]]) where the [[Fort San Pedro (Iloilo)|Fort San Pedro]] and the 17th-century Spanish port were located.<ref name="de Mentrida">{{cite book |last1=de Mentrida |first1=Alonso |title=Diccionario De La Lengua Bisaya, Hiligueina Y Haraya de la isla de Panay |date=1841 |publisher=En La Imprenta De D. Manuel Y De D. Felis Dayot |pages=202–203 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ1aAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA203 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112738/https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ1aAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA203#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Doeppers">{{cite book |last1=Doeppers |first1=Daniel F. |editor1-last=Frost |editor1-first=Lionel |title=Urbanization and the Pacific World, 1500–1900 |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |chapter=The Development of Philippine Cities Before 1900 |isbn=9781351876346 |series=Lands, Peoples, and History of the Pacific, 1500–1900 |volume=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Law |first1=Gwillim |title=Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998 |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476604473 |page=289 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXCeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA289 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112742/https://books.google.com/books?id=nXCeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA289#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Romuáldez">{{cite book |last1=Romuáldez |first1=Norberto |title=A Bisayan Grammar and Notes on Bisayan Rhetoric and Poetics and Filipino Dialectology |date=1908 |publisher=Pag Pahayag Co. |location=Tacloban |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b6ITAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA30 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112826/https://books.google.com/books?id=b6ITAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Iloilo City}}

=== Early history ===
{{See also|Hinilawod|Maragtas|Madja-as}}
{{multiple image
| align             = left
| width             = 100
| image1            = Visayans_3.png
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Visayans_4.png
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = 
| footer            = Images from the [[Boxer Codex]], c. 1595, illustrating ancient [[Visayan]]s
| footer_align      = left
}}

[[File:Expansion of Iloilo City.png|thumb|left|The territorial expansion of Iloilo City.]]

The earliest written reference to Iloilo appears in [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan Dynasty]] records from the 1300s, identifying [[Oton]]—west of Iloilo City—as in [[Philippine Hokkien|Hokkien]] {{lang-zh|t=|poj=A-tân|l=|c=啞陳|s=|p=}},<ref>[https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228735802.pdf Reading Song and Ming Records on the Precolonial History of the Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213131445/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228735802.pdf|date=February 13, 2023}} By Wang Zhenping Page 256.</ref> a bustling trade outpost in the [[Visayas]].<ref>Mamuel Merino, O.S.A., ed., ''Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas (1565–1615)'', Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, 1975, pp. 374–376.</ref> 

Although, little is known historically about the region prior to the arrival of the Spanish, [[Jesuit]] missionary [[Francisco Ignacio Alcina]], in his 1668 work ''Historia natural del sitio, fertilidad y calidad de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas'', identifies the [[Hiligaynon people]] originated from [[Leyte]], aligning with [[Bisayan languages|linguistic subgrouping]] of the [[Hiligaynon language]].<ref name="Zorc">{{cite book |last1=Zorc |first1=R.D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F2SRqDzB50wC&pg=PA492 |title=Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World |date=2010 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=9780080877754 |editor1-last=Brown |editor1-first=Keith |page=492 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |editor2-last=Ogilvie |editor2-first=Sarah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112810/https://books.google.com/books?id=F2SRqDzB50wC&pg=PA492#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Local legends, notably the epic ''[[Maragtas]]'' by Pedro Monteclaro (published 1907), offer a different origin story. It describes how ten [[datu]]s, led by Datu Puti, fled [[Borneo]] to escape the tyrant Sultan Makatunaw, arriving in [[Panay]] and purchasing its lowlands from the [[Ati people|Ati]] king Marikudo with a golden ''[[salakot]]'' and a necklace for his queen, Maniwan-tiwan.<ref name="Talaguit">{{cite thesis |last=Talaguit |first=Christian Jeo N. |title=Mga Maragtas ng Panay: Comparative Analysis of Documents about the Bornean Settlement Tradition |date=2019 |publisher=De La Salle University |url=https://www.academia.edu/download/64637113/Maragtas%20Paper_Revised_No%20pics.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The transaction, followed by a pact of friendship, is said to have inspired the [[Dinagyang|Dinagyang Festival]].<ref name="Scott">{{cite book |last1=Scott |first1=William Henry |title=Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine Histor |date=1968 |publisher=University of Santo Tomas Press |isbn=978-9711002275 |location=Manila}}</ref><ref name="Duka">{{cite book |last1=Duka |first1=Cecilio D. |title=Struggle for Freedom' 2008 Ed. |date=2008 |publisher=Rex Bookstore, Inc |isbn=9789712350450 |pages=21–23}}</ref>

Though once widely accepted and included in school textbooks, ''Maragtas'' (along with the ''[[Code of Kalantiaw]]'') is now considered a 20th-century [[hoax]], a view solidified by historian [[William Henry Scott (historian)|William Henry Scott]]’s 1968 critique,<ref name="Scott" /> upheld by experts like [[Gregorio Zaide]] and [[Teodoro Agoncillo]].<ref name="Duka" /> A 2019 thesis by Talaguit cites an earlier version of the story by Augustinian Friar Rev. Fr. Tomas Santaren (1902),<ref name="Talaguit" /> based on manuscripts he obtained in Iloilo after 1858. Though Santaren’s account supports Monteclaro’s, the manuscripts, written in romanized Hiligaynon during the colonial era, likely reflect oral folklore rather than pre-colonial history. Thus, while ''Maragtas'' may reflect elements of local folk history, it is unlikely to be a pre-colonial document and is not regarded as authentic history but rather a blend of tradition and invention.<ref>Tomas Santaren, Bisayan Accounts of Early Bornean Settlements in the Philippines, trans by Enriqueta Fox, (Chicago: University of Chicago, Philippine Studies Program, 1954), ii.</ref><ref name="Talaguit" />

[[File:Datu Paiburong Statue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Datu Paiburong, the first Bornean datu of Irong-Irong (Iloilo), is honored with a statue in [[Iloilo River Esplanade]].]]

Within the context of this folklore, [[Madja-as|Datu Paiburong]] is identified as one of the ten datus from Borneo who settled in Panay Island and is traditionally regarded as the first ruler of Irong-Irong, the area corresponding to present-day Iloilo. He is said to have established a polity that became a center of trade and agriculture, contributing to the early socio-political development of Western Visayas.

As the ruling datu of Irong-Irong, Paiburong is credited with organizing one of the earliest systems of local governance in the region, fostering alliances with other datus of Panay and codifying customary laws that promoted order and cooperation among early settlers. Although his existence is not corroborated by contemporary historical sources, Datu Paiburong remains a significant cultural figure in Iloilo’s precolonial heritage, symbolizing the region’s legendary beginnings and the enduring memory of Visayan leadership prior to Spanish colonization.

=== Spanish period ===

{{further|History of the Philippines (1565–1898)}}

[[File:Fort of Iloilo City c. 1738.jpg|thumb|Drafted plan of the [[Fort San Pedro (Iloilo)|Fort of Iloilo]] in 1738, originally named the Fortificación de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en el Puerto de Yloylo.|left]]

[[File:Iloilo Old Capitol Bldg., Iloilo City, Aug 2024.jpg|left|thumb|[[Casa Real de Iloilo]] was the official residence and administrative seat of the [[Governor-General of the Philippines|Spanish governor]] and [[alcalde mayor]] during the colonial period.]]

Under [[Philip II of Spain|Philip II]] in 1565, [[Miguel López de Legazpi]], tasked with expanding Spanish dominion in the Philippines, sent his grandson [[Felipe de Salcedo]], alongside Augustinian missionaries such as [[Martín de Rada]], to explore the [[Visayas]] for resources. Landing on [[Panay]], they established a temporary settlement in [[Dumangas|Araut]], to secure food supplies amid scarcity in [[Cebu]]. By 1566, a more permanent foothold emerged between Ogtong ([[Oton]]) and [[La Villa Rica de Arevalo]], formalized when Oton was established as a colonial outpost in 1572 under Legazpi’s command. This made Oton the second official Spanish settlement in the archipelago after Cebu. The city was founded by 80 pure Spaniards from Europe.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38269/38269-h/38269-h.htm#xd19e3408| title = A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows| quote = In the Bisayas were the Cities of the Holy Name of God (Cebu), and on the island of Panay, Arévalo (or Iloilo). The first maintained something of the importance attaching to the first Spanish settlement. It had its stone fort and was also the seat of a bishopric. It was visited by trading-vessels from the Moluccas, and by permit of the king enjoyed for a time the unusual privilege of sending annually a ship loaded with merchandise to New Spain. Arévalo had about eighty Spanish inhabitants, and a monastery of the Augustinians.| access-date = January 15, 2022| archive-date = February 8, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190208005625/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38269/38269-h/38269-h.htm#xd19e3408| url-status = live}}</ref> In 1586, it welcomed another 20 European Spanish [[Household]]s and the garrison was reinforced by 30 Spanish and Mexican soldiers.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.530346/2015.530346.jesuits-in_djvu.txt "Jesuits In The Philippines (1581-1768)" Page 143]</ref> This was reinforced by a consecutive number of 66, 50, 169, and then another 169 [[Mexican settlement in the Philippines|Mexican soldiers]] from Latin America during the years 1603, 1636, 1670, and 1672.<ref>[https://academic.oup.com/past/article/232/1/87/1752419 Convicts or Conquistadores? Spanish Soldiers in the Seventeenth-Century Pacific By Stephanie J. Mawson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603111934/https://academic.oup.com/past/article/232/1/87/1752419 |date=June 3, 2018 }} AGI, México, leg. 25, núm. 62; AGI, Filipinas, leg. 8, ramo 3, núm. 50; leg. 10, ramo 1, núm. 6; leg. 22, ramo 1, núm. 1, fos. 408 r –428 v; núm. 21; leg. 32, núm. 30; leg. 285, núm. 1, fos. 30 r –41 v .</ref> Later in the 1700s, Iloilo was home to 166 [[Spanish Filipino]] families and 29,723 native families.<ref name="Estadismo2">[https://ia601608.us.archive.org/10/items/bub_gb_ElhFAAAAYAAJ_2/bub_gb_ElhFAAAAYAAJ.pdf ESTADISMO DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS TOMO SEGUNDO By Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga (Original Spanish)]</ref>{{rp|113}}

The people of Panay, unlike the neutral [[Cebuano people|Cebuanos]] or the partially [[Islamized]] [[Tagalog people|Tagalogs]] of Manila who resisted Spanish rule, embraced the [[Iberia]]ns as allies. At the time, Panay was embroiled in a struggle against Muslim forces from the [[Bruneian Empire|Sultanate of Brunei]] and its vassals, the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] and the [[Kingdom of Maynila]], which Spanish Governor-General [[Francisco de Sande]] described as kin to the locals.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Administration of the Law and Justice in Brunei before the British Part V (''The Borneo Bulletin'' on December 7, 2013 continued with BA Hussaimiya's article on the Legal History of Brunei Darussalam). |url=http://muys.blogspot.com/2013/12/administration-of-law-and-justice-in.html |access-date=October 29, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The alliance proved pivotal, as Panay natives supplied a significant portion of the mercenary forces used to subdue Manila’s rulers, who were tied to Brunei. The rapid adoption of [[Christianity]] among the [[Hiligaynon people|Panaynons]] facilitated their integration into the Spanish colonial framework.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Saunders |first1=Graham E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC |title=A History of Brunei |date=2002 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |isbn=978-0-7007-1698-2 |page=57 |language=en |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112741/https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Before Spanish contact, Visayan groups, including those from Panay, were notorious for their piracy and slave-raiding expeditions, known locally as ''panggubat''.<ref name="auto4">{{cite web |last=Reyes y Florentino |first=Isabelo de los |date=October 15, 1889 |title=Las islas Visayas en la epoca de la conquista |url=https://archive.org/details/lasislasvisayase00reye |publisher=Manila: Tipo-litografia de Chofre y ca. |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The raids, often launched after harvests or during specific months like February to April, targeted coastal and inland settlements across the archipelago, striking fear into neighboring regions. Under Spanish influence, Christianization and Hispanization transformed these fierce raiders into disciplined soldiers and farmers, marking a significant cultural shift.<ref>Salman, Michael. "Resisting Slavery in the Philippines: Ambivalent Domestication and the Reversibility of Comparisons," Slavery & Abolition 25 no. 2 (2004) 30.</ref><ref>Schwalbenberg, Henry M. "The Economics of Pre-Hispanic Visayan Slave Raiding," Philippine Studies 42, no. 3 (1994) 376-84.</ref>

In 1581, recurrent attacks by [[Moro people|Moro]] pirates and [[Dutch colonial empire|Dutch]] and English privateers forced [[Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa|Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñaloza]], the Spanish governor, to relocate the colonial center from Ogtong approximately {{convert|12|km}} eastward to La Villa Rica de Arevalo. Named in honor of Ronquillo’s hometown in [[Ávila, Spain]], Arevalo became a hub for Spanish and Mexican settlers, who built residences and fortifications.<ref name="monografias3">{{cite book |last=Fernández |first=Juan |title=Monografias de los pueblos de la Isla de Pan-ay |author2=Jose Espinoza Jr. |publisher=University of San Agustin Publishing House |year=2006 |isbn=978-971-0381-05-0 |location=Iloilo City |page=220}}</ref><ref>"A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows" Page 147. The few years of Ronquillo's reign were in other ways important. A colony of Spaniards was established at Oton, on the island of Panay, which was given the name of Arévalo (Iloilo).</ref> Chinese traders, vital to the colony’s economy, established a commercial district in the nearby [[Parián|parian]] of [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]], supplying goods to the growing settlement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iloilo...My City...My Pride |url=http://iloilocity.gov.ph/iloiloct2011wip/aboutiloilocity.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121223609/http://iloilocity.gov.ph/iloiloct2011wip/aboutiloilocity.php |archive-date=January 21, 2012 |access-date=January 21, 2012}}</ref> In 1700, escalating raids, particularly from Dutch forces and Moro pirates, necessitated another move to [[Iloilo City Proper|Irong-Irong]], a village with a natural and strategic river-mouth location against raids. There, the Spanish erected the Fortificación de Nuestra Señora del Rosario en el Puerto de Yloylo, now known as [[Fort San Pedro (Iloilo)|Fort San Pedro]], to protect the burgeoning port.<ref>''Planos de las Plazas, Presidios, y Fortificaciones en todo el Distrito de las Provincias, que sugeta al Real Dominio en las Yslas Philipinas: Relación de Artillería, Tren de manejo, Pertrechos de Guerra, Tropas regladas de Dotación: Raciones, y Municiones, con Liquidación, y Separación de su Importación en el Año: Producto de las Rentas y Consignaciones que se reporta segun el estado presente'', dated 1738 (Manuscript drawn by Order of the Field Marshall Don Fernando Valdes y Tamon, Governor of the Philippine Islands from 1729 to 1739. The document is currently under the custody of the Archives of the Naval Museum in Madrid, Spain, p. 41.</ref> Over time, Irong-Irong’s name evolved into Iloilo, and the site quickly rose as the administrative and economic center of the province.<ref name="monografias3"/>

[[File:Gezicht op de haven en pakhuizen van Iloilo, KITLV 506209.tiff|thumb|The view of the [[Port of Iloilo]]’s harbor and warehouses in 1894.]]

Iloilo’s demographic and economic landscape expanded with the arrival of Chinese migrants, who fueled local industries, and [[Latin Americans|Latin American]] soldiers, who manned its defenses. In the late 18th century, the city became a center for large-scale textile production and was once referred to as the "textile capital" of the Philippines. Artisans wove sinamay, [[piña]], and [[Jusi (fabric)|jusi]] fabrics, which were traded in Manila and exported to international markets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Visayan textiles – RAFI |url=http://www.rafi.org.ph/news-highlights/visayan-textiles/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009194314/http://www.rafi.org.ph/news-highlights/visayan-textiles/ |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=October 29, 2016}}</ref> The industry thrived until the mid-19th century, when competition from inexpensive British textiles and the shift to sugar production diminished its prominence. The opening of Iloilo’s [[Port of Iloilo|port]] to global trade in 1855 marked a turning point, driven by British vice-consul [[Nicholas Loney]], who provided loans, built warehouses, and introduced modern sugar-farming techniques. The resulting sugar boom, centered on haciendas developed by Iloilo’s elite on [[Negros]], transformed the city, attracting foreign consulates, banks, and recreational facilities while elevating the status of its upper middle class.

[[File:Een gezelschap in een rijtuig in de tuin van het huis van J. Mitchell te Iloilo, KITLV 506215.tiff|thumb|Iloilo's elite in a carriage, 1894]]

On October 5, 1889, a royal decree recognized Iloilo’s commercial and industrial ascent by granting it city status, formalized with the establishment of the [[ayuntamiento]] in 1890 under Governor-General [[Valeriano Weyler]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Oct. 5 is 'Adlaw sang Ciudad de Iloilo' |url=https://www.panaynews.net/oct-5-is-adlaw-sang-ciudad-de-iloilo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913022333/https://www.panaynews.net/oct-5-is-adlaw-sang-ciudad-de-iloilo/ |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=13 September 2022 |publisher=Panay News}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Funtecha |first1=Henry |year=2000 |title=The Urbanization of the Town of Iloilo, 1865–1900 |journal=Selected Papers on Cities in Philippine History |publisher=Philippine National Historical Society |pages=89–108}}</ref> Due to the steadfast loyalty of the Ilonggos, particularly evident during conflicts with neighboring Muslim polities and later revolutionary movements, Iloilo was honored with the perpetual title of "''La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad''" (Most Loyal and Noble City). The distinction, bestowed by a Royal Decree signed on March 1, 1898, by [[Queen regent of Spain|Queen Regent]] [[Maria Christina of Austria]], underscored the city’s favored status under Spanish rule.<ref name="auto12">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.</ref><ref name="auto32">{{cite web |title=TIF file |url=http://www.boe.es/datos/imagenes/BOE/1889/298/A00238.tif |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511081910/http://www.boe.es/datos/imagenes/BOE/1889/298/A00238.tif |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref> Over time, Iloilo became known as the 'Queen's Favored City in the South,' or simply 'Queen’s City in the South,' being the second-most significant Spanish port after Manila and its southern location relative to the capital.<ref>Foreman, John, ''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, pp. 518, 526. {{PD-notice}}</ref> Throughout the late colonial era, Iloilo rivaled Manila in importance, serving as a key economic and military hub.<ref>{{cite web |last=Humanities |first=National Endowment for the |date=April 15, 1900 |title=Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, April 15, 1900, Image 19 |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1900-04-15/ed-1/seq-19/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120060751/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1900-04-15/ed-1/seq-19/ |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2018 |page=7 |via=chroniclingamerica.loc.gov}}</ref>

===Philippine revolution===

[[File:General Martin Delgado Statue.jpg|left|thumb|220px|[[Statue]] of [[Martín Teófilo Delgado]] - hero of Iloilo and first governor of [[Iloilo|Iloilo province]]. Standing in [[Iloilo Business Park]], [[Mandurriao]], Iloilo City.]]

During the [[Philippine Revolution]], Iloilo initially remained loyal to Spain.<ref>Policarpio F. Hernandez, ''Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development (1566–1898)'', p. 143.</ref> The city’s elite organized a 500-strong battalion of native volunteers, divided into two companies under predominantly Spanish officers, which departed for Manila on January 16, 1897.<ref>Cf. January 16, 1897, issue of ''Diario de Manila''.</ref><ref>Cf. Policarpio F. Hernadez, ''Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development (1566–1898)'', p. 145.</ref> The force distinguished itself in combat against [[Emilio Aguinaldo]]’s [[Katipunan]] rebels in [[Cavite]],<ref name="Policarpio F. Hernadez 1898 p. 147">Cf. Policarpio F. Hernadez, ''Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development (1566–1898)'', p. 147.</ref> returning to Iloilo in April 1898 after the [[Pact of Biak-na-Bato]] amid public celebrations.<ref>Cf. December 30, 1896, issue of ''El Eco de Panay''. Also cf. Policarpio F. Hernadez, ''Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development (1566–1898)'', pp. 145-146.</ref> Following Spain’s defeat in the [[Spanish–American War]] in 1898, Iloilo briefly served as the capital of the [[Spanish East Indies]] under Governor-General [[Diego de los Ríos|Diego de los Rios]].<ref>Cf. April 26, 1898, issue of ''El Eco de Panay''. Cf. also Policarpio F. Hernadez, ''Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development (1566–1898)'', p. 147.</ref>

[[File:Jaena1l.jpg|180px|right|thumb|[[Graciano López Jaena]] is a notable [[Filipinos|Filipino]] [[Propagandist]] and [[National Hero]] born in [[Jaro, Iloilo City]] who founded the newspaper ''[[La Solidaridad]]''. He is known for being one of the Triumvirate of Filipino Propagandists along with [[Marcelo H. del Pilar]] and [[José Rizal]].]]

[[Graciano López-Jaena]], national hero and a brilliant orator born in [[Jaro, Iloilo City]], made his most crucial heroic contribution to the [[Philippine Revolution]] not on the battlefield, but through his potent pen and fiery voice, by founding the influential newspaper [[La Solidaridad]] in [[Spain]], which served as the principal organ for the Propaganda Movement, uniting Filipino intellectuals and fiercely advocating for political reforms and an end to Spanish abuses in the Philippines. His indelible contribution to Philippine history is cemented by his role as one of the Triumvirate of Filipino Propagandists, alongside [[José Rizal]] and [[Marcelo H. del Pilar]], skillfully using his journalistic prowess and passionate essays, particularly his work Fray Botod, to awaken Filipino national consciousness and inspire the subsequent generation of revolutionaries by laying the intellectual foundation for the eventual quest for Philippine independence.

López Jaena died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, just months before the Philippine Revolution officially began, yet his journalistic work and tireless advocacy ensured his legacy as a true pioneer of Philippine nationalism.

[[File:Statue of Graciano Lopez-Jaena.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Statue of Graciano Lopez-Jaena in [[Plaza Jaro]] (Graciano Lopez-Jaena Park).]]

As revolutionary fervor against Spanish authority intensified across the archipelago, [[Emilio Aguinaldo]] dispatched Tagalog forces to Panay to support the burgeoning local uprising, aiming to unify the independence movement.<ref>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. 474.</ref> The insurgency was effectively led by the brilliant Ilonggo general, Martín Delgado, who organized and commanded the Visayan revolutionary troops. By October 1898, Delgado's relentless campaigns had proven largely successful, securing control over the vast majority of Panay Island and confining the remaining Spanish garrisons to the core urban centers: Iloilo City, Jaro, La Paz, and Molo.

The military situation reached its climax shortly after Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War. On December 25, 1898, Christmas Day, just fifteen days after the [[Treaty of Paris (1898)|Treaty of Paris]] formally ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million, the final Spanish troops in the archipelago capitulated. The Spanish forces, under the command of Governor-General Diego de los Ríos, formally surrendered at the historic Plaza Alfonso XII, now known as [[Plaza Libertad]], to General Delgado’s victorious revolutionary forces. This momentous event marked the definitive collapse of Spanish sovereignty and the end of Spain’s final bastion in [[Asia and the Pacific]],<ref>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.</ref> concluding over 333 years of colonial rule in the Philippines. The surrender effectively transferred local authority to the newly established [[Federal State of the Visayas]] led by Delgado, although this hard-won independence was immediately threatened by the looming arrival of the American expeditionary forces.

=== American period ===
{{further|History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|Philippine–American War}}

[[File:Landing_Fields_-_Philippines_-_Iloilo_-_NARA_-_68160330.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of Iloilo, early 1900s.]]

Following the Spanish withdrawal, revolutionary forces entered Iloilo with fanfare, establishing a provisional government. On January 17, 1899, [[Raymundo Melliza]], a prominent figure from Molo’s elite, was elected mayor.<ref>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, pp. 511-512.</ref> American forces arrived in 1900, downgrading Iloilo from a city to a township amid the transition to U.S. control. In 1903, Act No. 719 reorganized the region, incorporating the municipalities of [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]], [[Mandurriao]], and [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]] into the jurisdiction of Iloilo.<ref>{{Citation |title=Act No. 719 – Act reducing the fifty-one municipalities of the Province of Iloilo to seventeen |url=http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/34121 |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231080459/http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/34121 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Supreme Court E-Library}}</ref> [[Pavia, Iloilo|Pavia]] joined briefly in 1905 under Act No. 1333 but was separated in 1907 alongside Jaro, which became an independent municipality in 1908 via Executive Order No. 64.<ref>{{Citation |title=Act No. 1333 – An Act Amending Act Numbered Seven hundred and nineteen, entitled "An Act reducing the fifty-one municipalities of the Province of Iloilo to seventeen |url=http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/16999 |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231095111/http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/16999 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Supreme Court E-Library}}</ref><ref>Executive Order No. 64 24 December 1907, see {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/atf7298.0005.001.umich.edu |title=Executive Orders and Proclamations Issued by the Governor-General During the Year 1907 |date=1908 |publisher=Bureau of Printing |location=Manila |pages=125–126}}</ref> La Paz regained its autonomy in 1920 through Executive Order No. 70, signed in 1919.<ref>Executive Order No. 64 24 December 1907, see {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/atf7298.0005.001.umich.edu |title=Executive Orders and Proclamations Issued by the Governor-General During the Year 1907 |date=1908 |publisher=Bureau of Printing |location=Manila |pages=125–126}}</ref>[[File:Iloilo city Philippines late 1800's to early 1900's.png|thumb|398x398px|View of [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]] (left) and [[Iznart Street]] (right) from [[Plazoleta Gay]]]]

American Protestant missionaries established some of the earliest Protestant institutions in the Philippines in Iloilo, including [[Jaro Evangelical Church]] (the first Baptist church in the country), [[Iloilo Mission Hospital]] (the first American and Protestant hospital in the country), and [[Central Philippine University]] (the first Baptist and second American and Protestant university in the country). Other early infrastructure projects by the American administration included the construction of Baluarte and Arroyo streets, the extension of Delgado Street to Valeria, and the development of Fuentes and Jalandoni streets, reaching what is now the [[University of the Philippines Visayas]] campus. Quezon and Mabini streets were paved and lined with sidewalks, and by 1921 the city was illuminated with streetlights. In 1926, authorities began widening key thoroughfares such as [[General Luna Street|General Luna]], [[J.M. Basa Street|J.M. Basa]], and Ledesma. In 1927, the improved Valeria-Ledesma street, formerly Weyler, was inaugurated.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roads and bridges in Iloilo during the American rule |url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/10/05/roads.and.bridges.in.iloilo.during.the.american.rule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523012347/http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/10/05/roads.and.bridges.in.iloilo.during.the.american.rule.html |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2016}}</ref>

Commonwealth Act No. 57, enacted in 1936, restored Iloilo’s city status, swiftly amended by Act No. 158 to annex La Paz and [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]]. The re-established city was inaugurated on August 25, 1937. Jaro’s incorporation followed in 1941 under Commonwealth Act No. 604, with President [[Manuel L. Quezon]] issuing Proclamation No. 663 on January 7, setting January 16 as the effective date.<ref>{{Citation |title=Commonwealth Act No. 604 – An Act to Amend Certain Sections of the Charter of the City of Iloilo |url=http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/29/36860 |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231064024/http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/29/36860 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Supreme Court E-Library}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Proclamation No. 663, s. 1941 – "Annexing the municipality of Jaro to the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Iloilo" |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1941/01/07/proclamation-no-663-s-1941/ |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015234333/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1941/01/07/proclamation-no-663-s-1941/ |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Commonwealth Act No. 158 – An Act to amend Commonwealth Act Numbered Fifty-seven, entitled "An Act establishing a form of government for the City of Iloilo |url=http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/29/16363 |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231112457/http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/29/16363 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Supreme Court E-Library}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="120" perrow="3" caption="Gallery of Iloilo City during the American period">
File:Straat in Iloilo City, Panay island, Western Visayas, in de Philippijnen, KITLV 1402348.tiff|J.M. Basa Street, widely known as [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]], in the 1920s.
File:Zeilschepen aan de kade van Iloilo City, Western Visayas, in de Philippijnen, KITLV 1402351.tiff|Sailing ships at the [[Muelle Loney Street|Muelle Loney]] wharf, circa 1920s to 1930s.
File:The National geographic magazine (Page 494) BHL40563491.jpg|A market in Iloilo, in the 1910s.
File:Ledesma St. Iloilo, KITLV 1402347.tiff|View of Ledesma Street from [[Plazoleta Gay]], a road junction, in the 1920s.
</gallery>

===Japanese occupation period===
[[File:Cpu1960aerialview.jpg|thumb|[[Central Philippine University]]’s main campus suffered extensive destruction during World War II.]]

By 1942, the Japanese had invaded Panay, and the economy came to a standstill. During [[World War II]], Iloilo was controlled by several Japanese battalions. Japan's ultimate goal was to entrench itself deeply in the Philippines so that, at the close of the war, it could occupy the country just as the Spanish and the Americans had years before. The Japanese built "[[Comfort station (sex)|comfort stations]]" in Iloilo in 1942, where they imprisoned Filipino "[[comfort women]]" who were routinely gang-raped, brutalized, and murdered for entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippine Survivor Recounts Her Struggle As A 'Comfort Woman' For Wartime Japan |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/29/939811000/philippine-survivor-recounts-her-struggle-as-a-comfort-woman-for-wartime-japan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116023658/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/29/939811000/philippine-survivor-recounts-her-struggle-as-a-comfort-woman-for-wartime-japan |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=15 August 2021 |newspaper=NPR.org |publisher=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9IsBB-RVTlQC&dq=comfort+gay+philippines+japan&pg=PR9 |title=The Other Empire: Literary Views of Japan from the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia |publisher=The University of the Philippines Press |year=2008 |isbn=9789715425629 |access-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112742/https://books.google.com/books?id=9IsBB-RVTlQC&dq=comfort+gay+philippines+japan&pg=PR9#v=onepage&q=comfort%20gay%20philippines%20japan&f=false |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Women made to be Comfort Women - Philippines |url=https://www.awf.or.jp/e1/philippine-00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218032805/https://www.awf.or.jp/e1/philippine-00.html |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>

Nevertheless, during the Japanese occupation, [[Macario Peralta Jr.]] freed most of Panay (with few exceptions) from Japanese imperialism. As a result, allied guerrillas from other provinces, including [[Romblon]], [[Palawan]], [[Marinduque]], and portions of [[Masbate]] and [[Mindoro]], considered Panay, the "[[Primus inter pares]]" in their alliance network.<ref name="Lapham">Lapham, R., and Norling, B., 1996, Lapham's Raiders, Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky,{{ISBN|0813119499}}</ref>

When Iloilo was liberated by Filipino and American forces from Japanese military occupation on March 25, 1945, the remnants of these battalions were held in [[Jaro Plaza]], which was used as a makeshift detention facility.<ref name="Lopez">{{cite book |author=Lopez Group Foundation |title=Iloilo: A Rich and Noble Land |publisher=Benpres Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-971-93904-0-4 |location=Pasig, Philippines |page=278}}</ref>

=== Post-war and independence era ===
The aftermath of [[World War II]] left Iloilo’s infrastructure heavily damaged. The situation worsened in 1966 when a [[1966 Iloilo City fire|massive fire]] destroyed nearly three-quarters of the city’s downtown area, further crippling its economy. Compounding these challenges were ongoing conflicts between labor unions in the port area, the decline of the sugar industry, and a deteriorating peace and order situation in the countryside. These factors prompted many Ilonggos to seek better opportunities elsewhere, leading to a significant exodus to cities like [[Bacolod]], Cebu, and Manila. The migration contributed to Iloilo’s decline as a central economic hub in the Philippines. While rural agricultural areas continued to support the local economy, the loss of investors and skilled workers slowed Iloilo’s progress. For years, the city’s economy grew at a moderate pace, struggling to regain its former prominence.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McCoy |first1=Alfred |year=1982|title=A Queen Dies Slowly |journal=Philippine Social History |publisher=Ateneo de Manila University Press |pages=289–358}}</ref>

Change came slowly. The construction of a [[Iloilo Fish Port Complex|fishing port]] and a new international sea port marked the beginning of Iloilo’s recovery. These infrastructure projects attracted commercial business firms, which began investing in the city one by one. The gradual influx of investment spurred Iloilo’s eventual economic revival, setting the stage for its resurgence as a key player in the region. Iloilo became a highly urbanized city on December 22, 1979, by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 51. As a result of the new status, its residents effectively lost their eligibility to vote for provincial officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/bataspambansa/bataspambansablg51.html#.WLR7h_LK08g |title=Batas Pambansa Blg. 51 – An Act Providing For The Elective Or Appointive Positions In Various Local Governments And For Other Purposes |date=December 22, 1979 |publisher=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library |access-date=February 27, 2016 |archive-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314185545/http://www.chanrobles.com/bataspambansa/bataspambansablg51.html#.WLR7h_LK08g |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Martial law era ===
{{main|Marcos dictatorship|Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship}}

The late 1960s marked the beginning of a period of unrest in the Philippines, driven by the economic fallout from [[Ferdinand Marcos]]’ debt-driven projects. The projects, aimed at securing his re-election in 1969, led to a [[1969 Philippine balance of payments crisis|balance of payments crisis]] and soaring inflation.<ref name="Balbosas1992">{{Cite journal |last=Balbosa |first=Joven Zamoras |date=1992 |title=IMF Stabilization Program and Economic Growth: The Case of the Philippines |url=https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidsjpd92-2imf.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Journal of Philippine Development |volume=XIX |issue=35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921141056/https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidsjpd92-2imf.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref><ref name="CamilleDiola">{{Cite news |last=Diola |first=Camille |title=Debt, deprivation and spoils of dictatorship {{!}} 31 years of amnesia |url=https://newslab.philstar.com/31-years-of-amnesia/golden-era |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626200905/https://newslab.philstar.com/31-years-of-amnesia/golden-era |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |work=The Philippine Star}}</ref> By the time of his second inauguration on December 30, 1969, the peso had begun to crash, sparking widespread social unrest.<ref name="Cororaton1997">{{Cite journal |last=Cororaton |first=Cesar B. |title=Exchange Rate Movements in the Philippines |journal=DPIDS Discussion Paper Series 97-05 |pages=3, 19}}</ref><ref name="Balisacan&Hill2003">{{Cite book |last1=Balisacan |first1=A. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O_L9k58WM9UC&q=The+Philippine+economy+under+Marcos:+A+balance+sheet |title=The Philippine Economy: Development, Policies, and Challenges |last2=Hill |first2=Hal |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195158984 |language=en |access-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218080523/https://books.google.com/books?id=O_L9k58WM9UC&q=The+Philippine+economy+under+Marcos:+A+balance+sheet |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> While major protests erupted in Manila, Iloilo City also became a center of resistance. Students from [[Central Philippine University]] and the nearby [[Western Institute of Technology (Philippines)|Western Institute of Technology]] in [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]] played a pivotal role in organizing the protests. They formed the Federation of Ilonggo Students (FIST), with leaders like Vic Beloria, Renato Ganchero, Virgil Ortigas, and the brothers Napoleon and Rolando Lorca. These activists would later be forced into hiding after Marcos declared martial law in 1972. Many of them lost their lives resisting the dictatorship and were honored as martyrs, with their names inscribed on the [[Bantayog ng mga Bayani]] (Heroes’ Memorial).<ref>{{cite web |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Vic Beloria - Bantayog ng mga Bayani |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/vic-beloria/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223170927/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/vic-beloria/ |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Napoleon Lorca - Bantayog ng mga Bayani |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/napoleon-lorca/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223170928/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/napoleon-lorca/ |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Renato Ganchero- Bantayog ng mga Bayani |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/renato-ganchero/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223170927/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/renato-ganchero/ |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref name="BantayogProfileVirgilOrtigas">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=Martyrs & Heroes: Virgil Ortigas |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/virgil-ortigas/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=Martyrs & Heroes: Ferdie Arceo |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/ferdie-arceo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316001543/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/ferdie-arceo/ |archive-date=March 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US}}</ref> Another prominent student activist, Edmundo Legislador of the University of the Philippines Iloilo, was similarly honored for his role in the resistance.

The declaration of martial law in 1972 marked the beginning of a 14-year period of authoritarian rule characterized by widespread [[Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship|human rights abuses]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gone too soon: 7 youth leaders killed under Martial Law |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/182828-marcos-dictatorship-martial-law-youth-leaders-killed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624114207/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/182828-marcos-dictatorship-martial-law-youth-leaders-killed |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |work=Rappler |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Mackerras 2003">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mi6DAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA143 |title=Ethnicity in Asia |date=2004 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |isbn=0-203-38046-0 |editor-last=Mackerras |editor-first=Colin |location=London |page=143 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112742/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mi6DAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA143#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="McCoy199909202">{{cite web |date=September 20, 1999 |title=Alfred McCoy, Dark Legacy: Human rights under the Marcos regime |url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/54a/062.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901062823/http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/54a/062.html |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |publisher=[[Ateneo de Manila University]]}}</ref><ref name="Abinales&Amoroso20052">{{Cite book |last1=Abinales |first1=P.N. |title=State and society in the Philippines |last2=Amoroso |first2=Donna J. |date=2005 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=978-0742510234 |location=Lanham, MD |oclc=57452454}}</ref> According to documentation by Amnesty International and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, the Marcos regime was responsible for 3,257 [[Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines|extrajudicial killings]], 35,000 cases of torture, and 70,000 incarcerations.<ref name="amnestyInternational1975">{{cite web |date=September 1976 |title=Report of an Amnesty International Mission to the Republic of the Philippines 22 November – 5 December 1975 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/204000/asa350191977en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010145425/https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/204000/asa350191977en.pdf |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |publisher=Amnesty International Publications}}</ref><ref name="RachelAGReyes201604122">{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2016 |title=3,257: Fact checking the Marcos killings, 1975-1985 - The Manila Times Online |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/3257-fact-checking-the-marcos-killings-1975-1985/255735/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419011712/https://www.manilatimes.net/3257-fact-checking-the-marcos-killings-1975-1985/255735/ |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=June 15, 2018 |website=www.manilatimes.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Robles2016">{{Cite book |last=Robles |first=Raissa |title=Marcos Martial Law: Never Again |publisher=Filipinos for a Better Philippines |year=2016}}</ref> Iloilo was not spared from the repression, as it became home to one of the key detention centers for political prisoners, the Camp Delgado.

Among the prominent figures detained at Camp Delgado was Rodolfo Lagoc, a labor lawyer who was held without charges for six months.<ref name="BantayogProfileLagoc">{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2023 |title=Martyrs & Heroes: Atty. Rodolfo Lagoc |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/rodolfo-lagoc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219014225/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/rodolfo-lagoc/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US}}</ref> Another detainee was Coronacion “Walingwaling” Chiva, a World War II heroine whose legendary status largely protected her from harm during her detention.<ref name="BantayogProfileWalingWaling">{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2023 |title=Martyrs & Heroes: Chiva, Coronacion "Walingwaling" |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/chiva-coronacion-walingwaling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219014226/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/chiva-coronacion-walingwaling/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US}}</ref> Other activists, such as Luing Posa-Dominado and Judy Taguiwalo, were subjected to torture, manhandling, and sexual assault. For their bravery and sacrifices, Lagoc, Chiva, and Posa-Dominado were later honored on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.<ref name="BantayogProfileDominado">{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Martyrs & Heroes: Luisa Posa Dominado |url=https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/luisa-posa-dominado/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219014226/https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/luisa-posa-dominado/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=Bantayog ng mga Bayani |language=en-US}}</ref> Taguiwalo, who survived the ordeal, went on to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.<ref>{{Cite news |website=inquirer.net |date=2017-08-17 |title=In the Know: Judy Taguiwalo |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/923370/in-the-know-judy-taguiwalo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222165110/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/923370/in-the-know-judy-taguiwalo |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-22 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Late 20th and early 21st centuries ===
[[File:Iloilo_Business_Park,_Megaworld_Boulevard,_ICC_top_view_(Mandurriao,_Iloilo_City;_04-05-2024)_(cropped)~3.jpg|300px|left|thumb|[[Iloilo Business Park]], on the site of the former airport, is a major new central business district.]]

At the turn of the 21st century, Iloilo experienced a significant economic boom, driven by major infrastructure projects and investments. The acquisition of the [[Mandurriao Airport|old Iloilo Airport]] in [[Mandurriao]] district and the construction of the [[Iloilo Diversion Road]] spurred urban development, attracting major businesses and real estate developers to the area. The investments transformed Iloilo into one of the fastest-growing economies in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castor |first=Rjay Zuriaga |date=2024-11-28 |title=Iloilo City second fastest-growing economy |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/11/28/regions/iloilo-city-second-fastest-growing-economy/2012375 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref>

In 2008, [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]] gained its district status after separating from [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]] as a sub-district, making it the seventh district of Iloilo City. The resolution was passed to enable Lapuz to have its own dedicated police station and fire station.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 2008 |title=City to Recognize Lapuz as Separate District from La Paz |url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/12/22/city.to.recognize.lapuz.as.separate.district.from.la.paz.html |access-date=March 6, 2022 |work=The News Today Online |agency=Philippine News Agency}}</ref>

The city government in 2010, began the Iloilo River Cleanup and Rehabilitation as part its initiative to restore the ecological balance and improve the livability of Iloilo City. Led by then Mayor [[Jed Patrick Mabilog|Jed Patrick E. Mabilog]], the project involved the relocation of informal settlers, strict enforcement of environmental laws, mangrove reforestation, and the establishment of the [[Iloilo River Esplanade]], a scenic linear park that became a symbol of the city’s transformation. The rehabilitation significantly improved water quality, revived marine biodiversity, and reduced flooding in surrounding communities. The initiative gained both national and international recognition, earning awards such as the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] Environmentally Sustainable City Award (2015) and the LivCom Award from the International Awards for Livable Communities, cementing Iloilo City’s reputation as one of the Philippines’ cleanest and most livable urban centers.

[[File:Iloilo River view from Iloilo Esplanade (Lapuz).jpg|280px|right|thumb|[[Iloilo River]] was revitalized by the local government in 2010.]]

The city’s power distribution system underwent a major change in 2019. [[MORE Electric and Power Corporation]] (MORE Power), owned by Spanish-Filipino billionaire [[Enrique K. Razon]], took over operations from the long-standing [[Panay Electric Company]] (PECO).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Nestor P. Burgos |date=February 19, 2019 |title=More Power granted 25-year distribution franchise in Iloilo City |url=https://business.inquirer.net/265329/more-power-granted-25-year-distribution-franchise-in-iloilo-city |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=inquirer.net |language=en}}</ref> MORE Power introduced modern power services, including the installation of an underground cabling system, starting with [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]] in [[Iloilo City Proper|downtown Iloilo City]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Angelo |title=No more spaghetti wires: Iloilo City clears Calle Real of unsightly overhead cables |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/lifestyle/travel/119064/no-more-spaghetti-wires-iloilo-city-clears-calle-real-of-unsightly-overhead-cables/story |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.gmanetwork.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021-2023, the city underwent a rehabilitation and beautification works for its public squares — [[Jaro Plaza]], [[Plaza Libertad]], [[La Paz Plaza (Iloilo)|La Paz Plaza]], [[Mandurriao Plaza]], [[Arevalo Plaza]], and [[Molo Plaza]]; restoration of heritage structures like [[Jaro Belfry]];<ref name="GBP partners with Iloilo City LGU for La Paz Plaza Development Project">[https://manilainsight.com/business-section/gbp-partners-with-iloilo-city-lgu-for-la-paz-plaza-development-project/ GBP partners with Iloilo City LGU for La Paz Plaza Development Project]. Retrieved 08/21/2025.</ref><ref name="Rehab of Iloilo City plazas on track">[https://www.iloilotoday.com/iloilo-city-plazas-rehab/ Rehab of Iloilo City plazas on track]. Retrieved 08/21/2025.</ref> renovation of districts public markets; and upgrading of [[Iloilo Central Market]] and Iloilo Terminal Market into market malls through public-private partnership with [[SM Prime Holdings]].<ref>[https://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/business/iloilo-city-awards-markets-ppp-to-sm-prime?utm_source Iloilo City awards markets PPP to SM Prime]. Retried 08/21/2025.</ref>

[[File:Plaza Jaro (Graciano Lopez Jaena Park).jpg|thumb|left|[[Jaro Plaza]] after its major rehabilitation, with the restored [[Jaro Belfry]] in the background.]]

In 2023, Iloilo City was recognized as the Philippines' first [[City of Gastronomy|UNESCO Creative of Gastronomy]].<ref>[https://business.inquirer.net/430072/hail-to-iloilo-unesco-city-of-gastronomy Hail to Iloilo, Unesco ‘City of Gastronomy’! inquirer.NET]. Retrieved 08/21/2025.</ref><ref name="Iloilo City is UNESCO’s first Creative City of Gastronomy in PH">[https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212891 Iloilo City is UNESCO's first Creative City of Gastronomy in PH]. Retrieved 08/21/2021.</ref><ref name="UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy">[https://citiesofgastronomy.com/cities UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy]. Retrieved 08/21/2025.</ref> In 2024, the [[Calle Real Heritage Zone]] collectively under "The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Islands", has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6713/ The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Islands]. Retrieved 08/21/2025</ref> In the same year on May 8, 2024, the [[Hinilawod]] Epic Chant Recordings housed at the [[Central Philippine University Library|Henry Luce III Library]] of [[Central Philippine University]] has been inscribed in the [[UNESCO]] [[Memory of the World Register]], which marked Iloilo City's 2nd UNESCO inscription after the UNESCO Creative of Gastronomy.<ref>[https://library.cpu.edu.ph/hinilawod-epic-chant-recordings-secured-in-unescos-memory-of-the-world-registry/ Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings Secured in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Registry]. Retrieved 08/21/2025.</ref>

In 2024, the [[Port of Iloilo|Iloilo Commercial Port Complex]] was granted to [[International Container Terminal Services|International Container Terminal Services, Inc.]] (ICTSI) for development and management. Renamed the Visayas Container Terminal, the project aimed to modernize the facility and expand its international connectivity, further enhance trade and economic growth in the central Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICTSI to develop Visayas Container Terminal in the Philippines |url=https://shipmanagementinternational.com/ictsi-to-develop-visayas-container-terminal-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chambers |first=Sam |date=2024-01-30 |title=ICTSI wins concession to develop Philippine box terminal |url=https://splash247.com/ictsi-wins-concession-to-develop-philippine-box-terminal/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Splash247 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the same year, international air routes from [[Iloilo International Airport]] to [[Hong Kong]] and [[Singapore]] were re-opened, followed by the launching of [[Don Mueang International Airport|Bangkok-Don Mueang]] route, this resulted for Iloilo opening to the global trade, commerce, and tourism.

== Geography ==
[[File:Iloilo Mandurriao-Jaro overlooking from Balaan Bukid (Iloilo City; 01-25-2023).jpg|thumb|An aerial view of Iloilo City from [[Balaan bukid|Balaan Bukid]] in [[Guimaras]], across the [[Iloilo Strait]].]]
Iloilo City is situated on the southern shores of [[Panay]], facing the [[Iloilo Strait]] and [[Guimaras]] to its south and east. The location forms a natural harbor and a safe anchorage for ships. The city is bordered by the municipality of [[Oton]] to the west, [[Pavia, Iloilo|Pavia]] to the north, and [[Leganes, Iloilo|Leganes]] to the northeast. Across the [[Iloilo Strait]], along its eastern and southern coastlines, lie the towns of [[Buenavista, Guimaras|Buenavista]] and [[Jordan, Guimaras|Jordan]] in the island-province of Guimaras.

The city occupies a flat alluvial plain, largely reclaimed from swampy areas due to urbanization and industrialization from the late 19th century to the present. Several rivers traverse the city, including the Iloilo, [[Batiano River|Batiano]], Jaro, and Dungon Creek. The [[Iloilo River]], an [[estuary]], separates the districts of City Proper, Molo, and Arevalo from the rest of the city. The Jaro River is fed by its tributaries, the Aganan and Tigum rivers.<ref name="profile"/>

The [[Jaro Floodway]] was developed as a new escape channel to divert floodwaters from these two rivers into the Iloilo Strait. Iloilo City lies {{convert|337.6|nmi|km|-1}} from [[Manila]], {{convert|116|km}} from [[Roxas City]], {{convert|158|km}} from [[Kalibo]], and {{convert|97|km}} from [[San Jose de Buenavista]]. It spans a total land area of {{convert|70.3|km²|1|abbr=out}}.<ref name="profile">{{Citation | title = Socio-Economic Profile 2004 of Iloilo City | publisher = The City Government of Iloilo | year = 2004 }}</ref>

The city is divided into seven geographical districts: [[Iloilo City Proper|the City Proper]], [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]], [[Mandurriao]],  [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]], [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]], and [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]]. All districts, except Lapuz, were once independent towns; Lapuz was a sub-district of La Paz until it gained separate status in 2008.{{refn|In 1903, the municipalities of Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, and Molo, were incorporated into the municipality of Iloilo. Pavia was also incorporated into Iloilo from Santa Barbara in 1905. In 1908, Pavia and Jaro were separated from Iloilo and constituted as the municipality of Jaro. La Paz was re-established as a separate municipality in 1920. In 1937, the town of Iloilo was amalgamated with the towns of La Paz and Arévalo as one [[chartered city]]. The municipality of [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], on the other hand, was re-incorporated into Iloilo City in 1941.}} Each district features its own town center, equipped with a plaza, a Roman Catholic church, a fire station, a police station, and a public market. City Proper serves as the commercial hub and the political center of both the city and [[Iloilo Province|Iloilo province]], and the regional government center of [[Western Visayas]].

Iloilo City anchors the only [[List of metropolitan areas in the Philippines|officially recognized metropolitan area]] in Western Visayas.{{efn|Presidential Executive Order No. 559 of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed on August 28, 2006}} The [[Metro Iloilo–Guimaras|metropolitan area]] encompasses Iloilo City and the surrounding municipalities of Leganes, Pavia, [[Santa Barbara, Iloilo|Santa Barbara]], [[Cabatuan, Iloilo|Cabatuan]], [[San Miguel, Iloilo|San Miguel]], and Oton, along with the island-province of Guimaras and its five municipalities: [[Sibunag]], [[San Lorenzo, Guimaras|San Lorenzo]], [[Nueva Valencia]], Buenavista, and Jordan.<!-- Please do not revert to turn back the former article with auto collapse list of Barangays in Iloilo City because it consumes a lot of space designated for a said part of article. There is already a list of Barangays in Iloilo City in the map above of the city.!-->

=== Barangays and districts ===
{{main|Districts of Iloilo City}}

[[File:Iloilo City district map.png|alt=The districts of Iloilo City are Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo.|thumb|249x249px|A map of Iloilo City's seven districts.]]

Iloilo City constitutes one [[Iloilo City's at-large congressional district|at-large congressional district]]. It is divided into [[Districts of Iloilo City|seven administrative districts]], each of which is subdivided into barangays. There are 180 [[barangay]]s across the city.
{| style="table-layout:fixed;"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;table-layout:fixed;margin:auto;font-size:90%;background-color:#FEFEFE;"
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" |[[Districts of Iloilo City|District]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" |Area
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" |Population
(2024)
! colspan="2" scope="col" |Density
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" |[[Barangay]]s
|-
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" |{{abbr|km<sup>2</sup>|area in square kilometers}}
! scope="col" |{{abbr|sq mi|area in square miles}}
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" |{{abbr|/km<sup>2</sup>|density per square kilometer}}
! scope="col" |{{abbr|/sq mi|density per square mile}}
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]]
| {{convert|7.58|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 57,265
| {{convert|{{sigfig|57265/7.58|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |13 [[Arevalo, Iloilo City#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-bgcolor="#FFE7BA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FFE7BA;" | [[Iloilo City Proper|City Proper]]
| {{convert|3.73|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 47,231
| {{convert|{{sigfig|47231/3.73|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |45 [[Iloilo City Proper#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]]
| {{convert|27.48|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 136,274
| {{convert|{{sigfig|136274/27.48|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |42 [[Jaro, Iloilo City#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]]
| {{convert|11.33|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 58,098
| {{convert|{{sigfig|58098/11.33|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |25 [[La Paz, Iloilo City#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]]
| {{convert|3.25|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 31,603
| {{convert|{{sigfig|31603/3.25|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |12 [[Lapuz, Iloilo City#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Mandurriao]]
| {{convert|13.78|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 66,464
| {{convert|{{sigfig|66464/13.78|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |18 [[Mandurriao#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#FDFDFD;" | [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]]
| {{convert|5.54|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 76,793
| {{convert|{{sigfig|76793/5.54|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" |25 [[Molo, Iloilo City#Barangays|<u>''(list)''</u>]]
|}
|}

===Climate===
Iloilo City has a tropical wet and dry climate within the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. The wet season is from June to November. The dry season is from December to May.<ref name =profile/>

{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location = Iloilo, Philippines (1961–1990, extremes 1903–2012)
| Jan record high C = 34.7
| Feb record high C = 35.5
| Mar record high C = 39.0
| Apr record high C = 37.5
| May record high C = 37.8
| Jun record high C = 37.5
| Jul record high C = 35.2
| Aug record high C = 34.8
| Sep record high C = 37.8
| Oct record high C = 35.4
| Nov record high C = 34.8
| Dec record high C = 34.5
| year record high C = 39.0
<!--Average high temperatures-->
| Jan high C = 29.7
| Feb high C = 30.2
| Mar high C = 31.7
| Apr high C = 33.1
| May high C = 33.1
| Jun high C = 31.6
| Jul high C = 30.7
| Aug high C = 30.4
| Sep high C = 30.8
| Oct high C = 31.1
| Nov high C = 30.9
| Dec high C = 30.2
| year high C = 31.1
<!--Mean daily temperature-->
| Jan mean C = 26.1
| Feb mean C = 26.5
| Mar mean C = 27.6
| Apr mean C = 28.9
| May mean C = 29.1
| Jun mean C = 28.1
| Jul mean C = 27.6
| Aug mean C = 27.5
| Sep mean C = 27.6
| Oct mean C = 27.7
| Nov mean C = 27.5
| Dec mean C = 26.8
| year mean C = 27.6
<!--Average low temperatures-->
| Jan low C = 22.7
| Feb low C = 22.7
| Mar low C = 23.5
| Apr low C = 24.6
| May low C = 25.1
| Jun low C = 24.7
| Jul low C = 24.4
| Aug low C = 24.5
| Sep low C = 24.4
| Oct low C = 24.2
| Nov low C = 24.0
| Dec low C = 23.4
| year low C = 24.0
| Jan record low C = 16.5
| Feb record low C = 16.7
| Mar record low C = 18.6
| Apr record low C = 20.0
| May record low C = 20.2
| Jun record low C = 21.0
| Jul record low C = 19.5
| Aug record low C = 20.0
| Sep record low C = 19.8
| Oct record low C = 19.2
| Nov record low C = 19.4
| Dec record low C = 18.3
| year record low C = 16.5
<!--Rainfall-->
| rain colour = green<!--Enter "green" for green rainfall colors, remove this line for blue coloring.-->
<!--IMPORTANT: use only one unit type!-->
| Jan rain mm = 39.9
| Feb rain mm = 19.1
| Mar rain mm = 27.1
| Apr rain mm = 47.7
| May rain mm = 117.9
| Jun rain mm = 255.2
| Jul rain mm = 313.2
| Aug rain mm = 363.7
| Sep rain mm = 266.8
| Oct rain mm = 264.1
| Nov rain mm = 174.8
| Dec rain mm = 64.2
| year rain mm = 1953.7
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| Jan rain days = 11
| Feb rain days = 7
| Mar rain days = 7
| Apr rain days = 6
| May rain days = 14
| Jun rain days = 18
| Jul rain days = 21
| Aug rain days = 20
| Sep rain days = 19
| Oct rain days = 18
| Nov rain days = 15
| Dec rain days = 14
| year rain days = 170
<!--Average daily % humidity-->
| Jan humidity = 82
| Feb humidity = 80
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 73
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 82
| Jul humidity = 85
| Aug humidity = 85
| Sep humidity = 85
| Oct humidity = 84
| Nov humidity = 84
| Dec humidity = 83
| year humidity = 81
<!--Mandatory fields, source-->
| source 1 = Climate Charts<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/p/PH98637.php |title=Climate (Average Weather) Data |publisher=Climate Charts |access-date=March 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511142023/http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/p/PH98637.php |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (rainy days),<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_986370_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Iloilo / Insel Panay / Philippinen
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = April 5, 2017
| archive-date = August 23, 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190823194215/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_986370_kt.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref> [[Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration|PAGASA]] (records)<ref name=PAGASAextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181014232458/https://data.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pagasaclimextriloilocity.csv
| archive-date = October 14, 2018
| url = https://data.gov.ph/?q=dataset/climatological-extremes/resource/d8e3c26d-6c44-45b5-9da3-3884fc820cf7
| title = Iloilo City Climatological Extremes
| publisher = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
| access-date = October 14, 2018}}</ref>
| date = March 2011
}}

==Cityscape==
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Iloilo}}
{{stack|float=center|{{multiple image
<!-- Essential parameters -->| align             = left
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = Iloilo JM Basa top view (Iloilo City; 01-25-2023) (cropped) (cropped).jpg
| caption1          = Heritage cityscape in [[Downtown Iloilo]]
| image2            = Mandurriao Skyline, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.jpg{{!}} Iloilo Business Park, the new CBD in the Mandurriao district
| alt2              = Iloilo Business Park, the new CBD in the Mandurriao district
| caption2          = Modern cityscape in [[Mandurriao]] district
| total_width       = 900
}}}}

Iloilo City’s geographical and architectural features have significantly influenced its centuries-long role as a trading hub, blending colonial heritage with modern development. Situated on a plain along the southeastern coast of [[Panay]], the city is bordered by the [[Iloilo Strait]] and the island of [[Guimaras]], which together form a natural harbor. The [[Iloilo River|Iloilo]] and [[Batiano River|Batiano]] rivers flow through its districts, eventually emptying into the strait, while bicycle paths, ornamental trees, parks, gardens, and open spaces contribute to its well-planned urban landscape. The city is a conglomerate of former towns, including the once-independent city of [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], with each district maintaining its distinct character. Civic centers in each district often feature Spanish colonial layouts, characterized by plazas, churches, and municipal halls. Modern developments are strategically concentrated in [[Mandurriao]], ensuring the preservation of the city’s skyline, heritage zones, and environment, while also extending into neighboring towns within its [[Metro Iloilo–Guimaras|metropolitan area]].

===Architecture===

[[File:Villa_Lizares_(Lizares_Mansion).jpg|thumb|240px|The 1937 [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] [[Lizares Mansion]], designed by Filipino architect [[Andrés Luna de San Pedro]]]]

Iloilo City’s architecture reflects a profound combination of Spanish and American colonial influences, layered over indigenous foundations, creating a rich historical urban landscape. In 1930, architect Juan Arellano created a schematic plan for the city based on [[Ebenezer Howard]]’s "[[Garden city movement|Garden City]]" concept, shaping the city’s layout as an amalgamation of former towns, each centered around plazas surrounded by churches and administrative halls.<ref name="heritage">{{Citation |author=Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council |title=Republic of the Philippines Iloilo City Conservation Planning and Development Guidelines for the Downtown Central Business District (CBD)Heritage Zone |pages=16–17 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/33612277/Conservation-Planning-and-Development-Guidelines-for-the-Downtown-Central-Business-District-CBD-Heritage-Zone |access-date=November 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107102330/http://www.scribd.com/doc/33612277/Conservation-Planning-and-Development-Guidelines-for-the-Downtown-Central-Business-District-CBD-Heritage-Zone |archive-date=November 7, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

During the Spanish colonial period, the sugar industry boom led to the construction of over 240 ancestral homes, 30 of which are considered grand mansions built by elite Ilonggo families.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Elfren S. |title=Of houses that sugar built |url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2024/05/02/2351876/houses-sugar-built |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> Iloilo has the most restored heritage buildings outside Metro Manila and is often referred to as the "City of Mansions."<ref name="DailyGuardian-Cultural">{{cite news |last1=Conserva |first1=Louine Hope |date=April 16, 2018 |title=CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION: U.S. Embassy launches training course in Iloilo City |url=https://thedailyguardian.net/banner-news/cultural-heritage-conservation-u-s-embassy-launches-training-course-in-iloilo-city/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414155908/https://thedailyguardian.net/banner-news/cultural-heritage-conservation-u-s-embassy-launches-training-course-in-iloilo-city/ |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |work=The Daily Guardian |quote=Iloilo City, dubbed as the "City of Mansions," is an ideal venue as it is a home to well-preserved heritage structures during the Spanish and American period such as churches, ancestral houses, and commercial buildings.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sornito |first=Ime |date=2022-01-22 |title=Iloilo City – a museum of architecture |url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-city-a-museum-of-architecture/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[File:CPU_Church.jpg|thumb|left|The [[University Church, Central Philippine University|Central Philippine University Church]] is noted for its Malay motif design, while the CPU main campus, designated a Registered Cultural Property of the Philippines, features American colonial-era structures listed in the [[Lists of Cultural Properties of the Philippines|Philippine Registry of Heritage]].]]

As the center of Christian faith in Western Visayas, Iloilo showcases significant Spanish Catholic influence, most notably in [[Jaro Cathedral]], a National Historical Landmark and National Shrine, which serves as the seat of the [[Archdiocese of Jaro]]. The Cathedral's unique features include the free-standing and detached [[Jaro Belfry]] and the shrine of [[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria]], whose image is uniquely perched at its facade—the first Marian image crowned by a pope ([[John Paul II]]) and saint in Asia. 

In [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Villa de Arevalo]], notable bahay na bato structures include the Camiña Balay Nga Bato and the Convento de Arevalo. Grand Beaux-Arts and Spanish colonial mansions, such as the [[Lopez Heritage House]] (Lopez Mansion) and Lizares Mansion (houses the [[Angelicum School Iloilo]] of the [[University of Santo Tomas]]), are located in Jaro, which also features the Art Deco [[Jaro Municipal Hall]]. In Molo, landmarks include the Gothic-style [[Molo Church]]. The [[Casa Real de Iloilo]] (Royal House of Iloilo), Iloilo's old provincial capitol, exemplifies the bahay na bato style and is declared an Important Cultural Property. Furthermore, [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]] in the City Proper features contiguous rows of beaux arts, neoclassical, and Art Deco commercial buildings, currently listed in the [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines#Tentative list|UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tentative List]]. 

[[File:Casa Real de Iloilo (Royal House of Iloilo).jpg|thumb|260px|The [[Casa Real de Iloilo]] (Royal House of Iloilo), Iloilo's old provincial capitol, was designed in the ''[[bahay na bato]]'' architectural style. It has been declared as an Important Cultural Property by [[National Museum of the Philippines]].]]

The American colonial period introduced new civic, educational, and healthcare institutions, leaving behind architectural styles influenced by neoclassical, Art Deco, and early modernist design. Americans, especially Protestant missions from the United States, established key centers that still define parts of the city’s educational and religious landscape. These include [[Central Philippine University]] (CPU), founded by the [[American Baptist Foreign Mission Society]] in 1905, featuring heritage structures like Franklin Hall, Valentine Hall, Weston Hall, and Stuart Hall, many of which are Registered Cultural Properties. 

[[File:Bell tower of Jaro.jpg|thumb|left|160px|The [[Jaro Belfry]] (Campanario de Jaro), a free-standing bell tower built in 1744 during the Spanish colonial period, stands across from the [[Jaro Cathedral]].]]

The [[Jaro Evangelical Church]], Doane Baptist Church, and the [[Iloilo Mission Hospital]] are prominent Protestant-built institutions. A notable structure within CPU is the [[University Church, Central Philippine University|Central Philippine University Church]], distinct for its Malay motif design. Other significant institutional architecture includes the neoclassical and Art Deco buildings of the [[University of San Agustin]] (USA) and the century-old Quezon Hall at [[West Visayas State University]] (WVSU).

Recent decades have brought significant urban development and the rise of contemporary architecture, specifically in Mandurriao. The [[Iloilo Convention Center]], designed by architect William Coscolluela, integrates modern design with cultural motifs inspired by the Dinagyang Festival and Paraw Regatta. 

[[File:Festive_Walk_Parade_(Phase_2).jpg|thumb|235px|right|Clock Tower at [[Festive Walk Mall|Festive Walk Parade]] in [[Iloilo Business Park]].]]

Restoration initiatives continue across the city, with projects such as the reconstruction of Fort San Pedro, described as a 17th-century Spanish military fortress, and the rehabilitation of the Iloilo Central Market, notable for its Art Deco façade. Most modern buildings are concentrated in the economic triangle formed by Atria Park District, Iloilo City Center, SM City Iloilo Complex, and Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park, featuring structures like the SM Strata twin towers, Injap Tower Hotel, and the Festive Walk Parade leisure strip. 

The seamless coexistence of these Spanish, American, and contemporary structures offers a compelling, tangible timeline of the city's evolution as a regional center. This unique architectural heritage solidifies Iloilo City's status as a premier cultural and historical anchor in the Philippines. The city’s adaptive reuse projects successfully preserve historical character while accommodating the demands of a rapidly modernizing economy. This commitment to heritage preservation, evident from ancestral homes to colonial fortifications, distinguishes Iloilo from many other urban centers in the archipelago.

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="120" perrow="3" caption="Some Heritage Buildings in the Calle Real Heritage Zone">
File:Villanueva Building (Calle Real) in Iloilo City (cropped).jpg|[[Eusebio Villanueva Building]]
File:Javellana Building (Edificio de Javellana).jpg|Javellana Building
File:Edificio de Ynchausti y Compañia.jpg|Elizalde and Company Building houses the [[Museum of Philippine Economic History]]
File:Aduana de Iloilo (Iloilo Customs House).jpg|[[Iloilo Customs House]]  houses the [[Museum of Philippine Maritime History]]
</gallery>

=== Sustainability ===

[[File:Iloilo River Esplanade I.jpg|thumb|190px|left|[[Iloilo River Esplanade]], the longest linear park in the Philippines with its first phase.]]

[[File:Iloilo River Esplanade Welcome Signage.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Iloilo River Esplanade]] Welcome Signage.]]

Iloilo City stands out as a model of sustainable urban development, blending green initiatives, recreational spaces, and smart city innovations. Recognized with the 2017 Clean Air City Award and the 2020 ASEAN Clean [[Tourist city|Tourist City]] Award, the city has implemented policies such as banning plastic straws, mandating wastewater treatment along the Iloilo River, and enforcing biodegradable waste segregation.<ref name="Iloilo to receive 'Clean Air City' award">{{Cite web |title=Iloilo to receive 'Clean Air City' award |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1017017 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=2017-11-24 |title=Iloilo City bags Clean Air Award {{!}} The Daily Guardian |url=https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/iloilo-city-bags-clean-air-award/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703104011/https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/iloilo-city-bags-clean-air-award/ |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=The Daily Guardian |language=en-US |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Iloilo Batiano River Development Project, a two-time Galing Pook Award winner (2018 and 2022),<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://leagueonlinenews.com/news/iloilo-city-bags-galing-pook-award-for-cleaning-river/|title=ILOILO CITY BAGS GALING POOK AWARD FOR CLEANING RIVER|work=League Online News|access-date=November 6, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425113136/https://insuleer.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Iloilo City Won the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award |url=https://philnews.ph/2019/11/29/iloilo-city-won-the-asean-clean-tourist-city-award/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205085223/https://philnews.ph/2019/11/29/iloilo-city-won-the-asean-clean-tourist-city-award/ |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> showcases replicable environmental practices, while tree-planting programs and expanded mangrove forests enhance biodiversity and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.<ref name="Iloilo City bags gold in PH bike lane awards: Panay News">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-11-28 |title=Iloilo City bags gold in PH bike lane awards |url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-city-bags-gold-in-ph-bike-lane-awards/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Mobility Awards 2021 awardees">[https://www.mobilityawards.ph/awardees/ Mobility Awards 2021 awardees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810231433/https://www.mobilityawards.ph/awardees/|date=August 10, 2023}}. Retrieved 08-10-2023.</ref><ref name="Bike-friendly Iloilo City wins Galing Pook award">{{Cite web |title=Bike-friendly Iloilo City wins Galing Pook award |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/23/bike-friendly-iloilo-city-wins-galing-pook-award |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Iloilo River Esplanade]], the Philippines’ longest linear park, exemplifies the city’s commitment to green spaces. Designed by Filipino architect Paulo Alcazaren, it features 22 of the country’s 35 endemic mangrove species, serving as a vital marine breeding ground. Historic plazas with ornamental gardens, the revitalized [[Sunburst Park]], the [[Iloilo Freedom Grandstand|Freedom Grandstand]] at [[Muelle Loney Street|Muelle Loney]] with mini-gardens, and the landscaped [[Iloilo Provincial Capitol]] complex—home to the [[National Museum Western Visayas]]. Additionally, all of the city’s plazas—[[Plaza Libertad]], [[Jaro Plaza]], [[Molo Plaza]], [[La Paz Plaza (Iloilo)|La Paz Plaza]], [[Mandurriao Plaza]], and [[Arevalo Plaza]]—have also undergone rehabilitation.

[[File:Green Tunnel - Diversion Road, Iloilo City.jpg|thumb|200px|A protected and dedicated bike and jogging lane along [[Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue|Diversion Road]] in [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro District]].]]

The Iloilo River Rehabilitation Project, launched in 2010, marked a major environmental initiative aimed at restoring the river’s ecosystem and enhancing the overall quality of life in Iloilo City. Under the leadership of then Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, the program implemented measures such as the relocation of informal settlers along the riverbanks, enforcement of environmental regulations, extensive mangrove reforestation, and the creation of the [[Iloilo River Esplanade]], a riverside park that has since become one of the city’s key landmarks.

[[File:Iloilo River's view from Carpenter's Bridge.jpg|thumb|260px|left|The [[Iloilo River]] is home to 22 of the 35 true mangrove species known in the Philippines.]]

The project resulted in cleaner waterways, improved marine biodiversity, and reduced flooding in nearby areas. Its success has been recognized both nationally and internationally, with the Iloilo River receiving multiple honors, including the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award (2015), the International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom Award), the Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (Gawad Lingkod Bayan) from the Civil Service Commission, and recognition as a “Waterfront Development Model” by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). These achievements helped establish Iloilo City as a model for sustainable urban development and environmental management in the Philippines.

Iloilo is also advancing as a [[smart city]], integrating technology to improve livability and sustainability. Initiatives include free public Wi-Fi, electric public transport vehicles, flood-prevention pumping stations, and air quality monitoring systems that meet international standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailyguardian.com.ph/is-iloilo-city-closer-to-becoming-a-smart-city/|title=Is Iloilo City closer to becoming a 'Smart City'|date=June 16, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|archive-date=October 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012200301/https://dailyguardian.com.ph/is-iloilo-city-closer-to-becoming-a-smart-city/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph//article/1751285|title=Free public Wi-Fi up in Iloilo City|date=July 5, 2018|work=SunStar|access-date=October 15, 2019|archive-date=October 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012200719/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1751285|url-status=live}}</ref> Taxis use [[Automotive navigation system|navigation systems]], and [[barangay]]s employ [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] for traffic and safety management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLTv27HKpN4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/OLTv27HKpN4| archive-date=November 13, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Iloilo City – Esplanade Project (update) & Pumping Stations – 07/23/2019 – HD| date=July 23, 2019|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph//article/1753272|title=CCTV cameras in Iloilo City 'need enhancement'|first=Carolyn Jane|last=Abello|date=July 17, 2018|work=SunStar|access-date=October 15, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809230915/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1753272|url-status=live}}</ref> The city’s bike-friendly programs, such as the I-Bike Program, have earned awards like the 2018 Most Bike-Friendly City citation and Gold Awards in the 2021 and 2022 National Bike Day Bike Lane Awards.<ref name="auto2" /> In 2024, Iloilo was ranked 6th among the world’s top 18 fitness-friendly cities by Headline Bulletin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 18 most fitness-friendly cities in the world – Headline Bulletin |url=https://hbuk.co.uk/top-fitness-cities |access-date=2024-10-27 |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110051559/https://hbuk.co.uk/top-fitness-cities |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Philippine Census
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| footnote= Source: [[Philippine Statistics Authority]]{{PH wikidata|population_reference}}{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}} 
}}

In the [[2020 Philippine census]], Iloilo City had a population of 456,626, making it the [[List of cities in the Philippines|25th most populous city]] in the Philippines and the fourth most populous city in the Visayas. The population consists of 224,203 males (49.1%) and 232,423 females (50.9%). It has a population density of  {{pop density|457626|78.34|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo City - Population Trends and Demographics - CityFacts |url=https://www.city-facts.com/iloilo-city/population |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.city-facts.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{main|Hiligaynon language}}

[[Hiligaynon language|Hiligaynon]] is the predominant language spoken in Iloilo City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vicilongo.weebly.com/language.html|title=Language|website=Research Center for Iloilo|access-date=September 7, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807152925/http://vicilongo.weebly.com/language.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Philippine English|English]] serves as the primary language for business and education. Other local languages, such as [[Karay-a language|Karay-a]] (also known as Kinaray-a or the outdated term Haraya), are spoken by a minority from certain parts of Iloilo province. [[Spanish language in the Philippines|Spanish]], once widely used during the colonial era and into the 1980s, is now fading, though a broken Spanish creole persists among a few families of Spanish descent and elderly sugar barons who concentrate around the districts of Jaro and Arevalo where the Spaniards and Mexicans historically settled. Chinese, specifically the dialect of [[Hokkien]] is often spoken in the district of [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]], the city's [[Chinatown]] whereas Indian [[Hindi language|Hindi]] can be found in Mandurriao.

Hiligaynon, part of the [[Visayan language family]] within the [[Malayo-Polynesian languages]], is prevalent across Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands. It is also the main language in [[Soccsksargen]], Mindanao, where most residents trace their ancestry to Hiligaynon speakers. Due to Iloilo’s 300-year history as a Spanish colony, Hiligaynon incorporates numerous Spanish loanwords, such as ''guerra'' (war), ''puerta'' (door), ''golpe'' (strike), ''aguanta'' (endure), ''puerto'' (port), ''calle'' (street), and ''edificio'' (building).

The language is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. In Iloilo and Negros Occidental, it is often referred to as "Ilonggo" ({{langx|es|Ilongo/Ylongo}}), a term that also denotes the ethnolinguistic group and cultural identity of native Hiligaynon speakers in Iloilo. The distinction between "Hiligaynon" and "Ilonggo" remains ambiguous, with many locals describing Hiligaynon as the language and Ilonggo as the identity or culture tied to Iloilo.

=== Religion ===
[[File:Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro 2022-07-05.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro|Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria]] ([[Virgin of Candelaria|Our Lady of Candles]]) in [[Jaro Cathedral]], the Roman Catholic patron of [[Western Visayas]] region, and [[Negros Occidental]] and [[Romblon]] provinces. It is the first Marian image crowned personally by a Pope and Saint in Asia.]]

Iloilo City is a significant religious center in the Philippines, shaped by 300 years of Spanish colonization that established a predominantly [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] population. Over 90 percent of residents adhere to the Roman Catholic Church, with Protestant denominations (5 percent), Iglesia ni Cristo (2 percent), and the Philippine Independent Church or [[Aglipayans]] (1 percent)—a form of Episcopal [[Anglo-Catholicism]]—representing notable minorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics |url=http://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/specialrelease/Iloilo%20City_Statistical%20Tables.xls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025055817/https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/specialrelease/Iloilo%20City_Statistical%20Tables.xls |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 15, 2019 |website=psa.gov.ph}}</ref>

The city's district of [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]] has long been a hub of Christian institutions. The Spanish introduced [[Roman Catholicism]], establishing the [[Archdiocese of Jaro]], while American colonial rule brought Protestantism, leading to the founding of key institutions. The [[Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral]], designated a National Shrine—the second in the Visayas and Mindanao and the second Marian-dedicated shrine outside Luzon—is the seat of the Archdiocese of Jaro and a focal point for devotion to Our Lady of Candles ([[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro|Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria]]), the patroness of [[Western Visayas]], [[Negros Occidental]] and [[Romblon]], alongside [[Saint Elizabeth of Hungary]]. The archdiocese, one of the country’s oldest and largest, began as a parish in 1587, covering the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique in Western Visayas, and Negros Occidental in Negros Island. [[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro|Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria]] holds the distinction of being the first Marian image in the Philippines to be canonically crowned in person by a pope and saint—Pope St. [[John Paul II]]—in 1981. This recognition further solidified Iloilo, particularly Jaro, as the center of Candelaria devotion in the Philippines, drawing pilgrims and devotees from across the nation each February 2.

[[File:Jaro Evangelical Church.jpg|thumb|180px|right|[[Jaro Evangelical Church]] is the first Baptist Church in the Philippines, and the first Protestant church outside Manila.]]

It became a diocese in 1865 under Pope Pius IX, with jurisdiction over suffragan bishops in [[Mindoro]], [[Palawan]], [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]], [[Iloilo Province]], [[Negros Oriental]], [[Guimaras]], [[San Jose de Buenavista]], [[Capiz]], [[Bacolod]], [[San Carlos, Negros Occidental|San Carlos]], and [[Kabankalan]]. Elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese by [[Pope Pius XII]], it later ceded territory to form the dioceses of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga|Zamboanga]] (1910), [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod|Bacolod]] (1932), Mindoro (1936), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Capiz|Capiz]] (1951), and the [[Territorial Prelature of San Jose de Antique]] (1962), though the latter remains partially under its purview.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]] serves as the episcopal seat of the [[List of dioceses of the Philippine Independent Church|Diocese of Iloilo]] for the [[Iglesia Filipina Independiente]] (Aglipayan Church). Protestantism, introduced by Americans after the 1898 Treaty of Paris, grew due to Iloilo’s economic prominence in the early 1900s and the religious freedom upheld by the American colonial government. [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] established the [[Iloilo Mission Hospital]] in 1901, the first American and Protestant hospital in the Philippines. Baptists founded the [[Jaro Evangelical Church]] in 1900 (the country's oldest Baptist church and first Protestant church outside Manila), [[Central Philippine University]] in 1905 (the first Baptist and second American university in the country and in Asia), and the [[Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches]]. Seventh-day Adventists, arriving later outside the early Protestant comity agreement, established the Jaro Adventist Center, the first organized Adventist church outside Manila.

Other Christian groups, such as [[Iglesia ni Cristo]] and [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], have a presence, alongside non-Christian communities including [[Muslims]] from southern Philippines, [[Sikhs]] from Indian immigrants, and [[Taoism|Taoists]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] from Chinese immigrants.e to the [[Santo Niño de Arévalo|Santo Niño de Arevalo]], the third oldest image of the Holy Child in the Philippines.

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" heights="120" perrow="5" caption="Notable Roman Catholic Churches of the City of Iloilo">
File:Jaro Cathedral in Jaro, Iloilo City.jpg|Jaro Cathedral (officially Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral) in Jaro, Iloilo City.]]|[[Jaro Cathedral]] is the seat of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro]] and the center of Candelaria devotion in the Philippines.
File:San Jose Church (Iglesia de San Jose Placer).jpg|[[San Jose Church (Iloilo)|San Jose Church]] is regarded as the first ever church in Iloilo City.
File:Molo Church (Iglesia de Sta. Ana).jpg|[[Molo Church]] is the only Gothic-style church outside Metro Manila.
File:La Paz Church (Iglesia de La Paz) or Iglesia de Nuesta Señora de La Paz y Buen Viaje.jpg|[[La Paz Church (Iloilo)|La Paz Church]] is dedicated to [[Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage]].
File:Arevalo Church.jpg|[[Arevalo Church]] is home to the [[Santo Niño de Arévalo|Santo Niño de Arevalo]], the third oldest image of the Holy Child in the Philippines.
</gallery>

== Economy ==

[[File:Iloilo Molo-Mandurriao skyline Iloilo Strait (Iloilo City; 11-28-2024).jpg|left|thumb|The skyline of [[Mandurriao]], the new central business district of Iloilo City.]]

Iloilo City has the third-largest economy in the Visayas, after Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, with a [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of ₱171.57 billion in 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Economic Performance of Highly Urbanized Cities Outside the National Capital Region {{!}} Philippine Statistics Authority {{!}} Republic of the Philippines |url=https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/ppa/node/1684080932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305005218/https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-economic-performance-highly-urbanized-cities-outside-national-capital-region |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=psa.gov.ph}}</ref> and the third-fastest growth among [[List of cities in the Philippines|highly urbanized cities]] (HUCs) in the Philippines. It serves as the economic hub of Western Visayas for trade, commerce, finance, technology, medical tourism, hospitality, real estate, tourism, education, and industry. Key sectors include port management, telecommunications, utilities, banking, retail, real estate, tourism, and [[business process outsourcing]] (BPO).

[[File:SM Strata in Iloilo City.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The SM Strata, an 18-storey twin towers houses IT-BPM/Shared Services companies like [[Carelon Health|Carelon Global Solutions]] (subsidiary of [[Elevance Health]]), [[EXL Service|EXL]], Sagility, [[Hinduja Global Solutions|HGS]], [[Telus Digital]], and [[TTEC]].]]

Historically, Iloilo’s economy thrived during the Spanish colonial period, when sugar was its primary export. The opening of its port to international trade in 1855 fueled a sugar boom, generating immense wealth and establishing affluent families—such as Lacson, Locsin, Ledesma, Montinola, and [[López family of Iloilo|Lopez]]—who built many [[hacienda]]s in the city. It positioned Iloilo as the Philippines’ second-most important economic center after Manila. Post-World War II, the sugar industry declined, diminishing the city’s economic stature.

Iloilo City has one of the Philippines' busiest ports.<ref name="Research Center for Iloilo">{{cite web |title=Research Center for Iloilo |url=http://vicilongo.weebly.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807152922/http://vicilongo.weebly.com/ |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |website=Research Center for Iloilo}}</ref> The [[Visayas Container Terminal]], formerly Iloilo International Commercial Port, which was privatized and now managed and operated by [[International Container Terminal Services, Inc.]], handles international sea cargo with destinations like [[Shanghai, China|Shanghai]] and [[Xiamen, China|Xiamen]] in [[China]]. The [[Port of Iloilo]] which operates the Iloilo Domestic Port in City Proper, Lapuz Fastcraft Terminal and Lapuz Roro Wharf in Lapuz, the and Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal generates revenue and has become the inter-island gateways linking the city and province with [[Guimaras]], [[Palawan]], [[Negros Island|Negros]], [[Mindanao]], and [[Cebu]] islands.

The city ranks third in bank savings deposits and accounts in the country and has the third highest GDP per capita among [[List of cities in the Philippines|highly urbanized cities]] (HUCs) outside Metro Manila. It also has one of the lowest crime rate nationwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2017/05/27/1704179/walk-through-iloilo-business-park|title=A walk through Iloilo Business Park|website=philstar.com|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809125726/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2017/05/27/1704179/walk-through-iloilo-business-park|url-status=live}}</ref> the highest life expectancy in Visayas and Mindanao, a significant middle-class population, tops the national happiness index,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/ilonggos-enjoyment-life-rates-high-nscb-hdi-ranking-095219255.html | title=Ilonggos' Enjoyment Of Life Rates High In NSCB's HDI Ranking | date=February 2, 2013 | work=Manila Bulletin | via=Yahoo | access-date=August 14, 2019 | archive-date=August 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814164647/https://ph.news.yahoo.com/ilonggos-enjoyment-life-rates-high-nscb-hdi-ranking-095219255.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and is recognized as one of the most business-friendly city in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bomboradyo.com/iloilo/iloilo-city-ginpasidunggan-nga-2019-most-business-friendly-lgu-award/|title=Iloilo City ginpasidunggan nga 2019 Most Business Friendly LGU &#124; Bombo Radyo Iloilo|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=October 17, 2019|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017113046/https://www.bomboradyo.com/iloilo/iloilo-city-ginpasidunggan-nga-2019-most-business-friendly-lgu-award/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}
A resurgence began in the early 21st century, catalyzed by the opening of the [[Iloilo International Airport]] in 2007, which replaced the [[Mandurriao Airport|old Mandurriao airport]]. It spurred development, including [[Megaworld|Megaworld Corporation]]’s transformation of the decommissioned airport site into a [[Central business district|business park]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rendon |first=Jennifer |title=Megaworld allots P25 B for Iloilo project |url=http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/01/14/896528/megaworld-allots-p25-b-iloilo-project |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030084121/http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/01/14/896528/megaworld-allots-p25-b-iloilo-project |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |access-date=October 29, 2016 |work=The Philippine Star}}</ref> This, alongside investments from other developers in the nearby area, revitalized the economy.<ref name="Research Center for Iloilo"/>

The service sector dominates with an 87.7 percent GDP share, led by wholesale and retail trade (contributing 2.3 percentage points to growth), alongside banking and IT-BPO, while industry accounts for 9.9 percent and agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.4 percent. Key industries include accommodation and food services (48.3 percent growth) and transportation and storage (18.9 percent).<ref name="ifit.org.ph">{{cite web |title=ifit.org.ph |url=http://www.ifit.org.ph/index.php/properties-for-rent.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204211405/http://www.ifit.org.ph/index.php/properties-for-rent.html |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=October 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Operating Economic Zones (277)<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=161&nature=IT%20Parks%2FCenters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121200220/http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=161&nature=IT%20Parks%2FCenters |archive-date=November 21, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="thedailyguardian.net"/>

[[File:Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld Boulevard (Mandurriao, Iloilo City; 04-05-2024).jpg|right|thumb|[[Iloilo Business Park]], a key hub for IT-BPO companies, dominates the city’s office property market.]]

The banking sector, tracing back to the Spanish-era sugar boom when Banco Español-Filipino (now [[Bank of the Philippine Islands]]) and [[Philippine National Bank]] opened their first branches outside Manila, ranks third nationally in deposits, fueled by [[Overseas Filipino Worker|OFW]] remittances, local industries, and [[Information technology|IT]]-[[Outsourcing|BPO]] growth; it hosts [[LifeBank (Philippines)|LifeBank]] MFI, the country’s third-largest microfinance institution, and [[Queen City Development Bank]], both headquartered in the city.

The IT-BPO, Shared Services, and [[knowledge process outsourcing]] (KPO) sectors thrive, leveraging high literacy and English proficiency, with Megaworld’s [[Iloilo Business Park]] and SM Investments' SM Strata Twin tower hosting firms like Transcom Asia, [[Elevance Health|Carelon Global Solutions]] of [[Elevance Health]], Asurion, iQOR, Medrisk, Nearsol (now CXPerts), Xtend OPS, Crawford and Co., WNS GLobal, Reed Elsevier of [[RELX]], Stealth Monitoring (now Ecam), Atento, Connectys, [[Telus Digital]], [[EXL Service|EXL]], [[TTEC]], Sagility, [[Concentrix]], [[Hinduja Global Solutions|HGS]], supported by annual IT, business, and medical graduates from universities in the city.<ref name="ifit.org.ph"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Operating Economic Zones (277)<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=161&nature=IT%20Parks%2FCenters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121200220/http://www.peza.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=161&nature=IT%20Parks%2FCenters |archive-date=November 21, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="thedailyguardian.net">{{cite web |last=Yap |first=Tara |title=BPO spurs local employment rate |url=http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/879-bpo-spurs-local-employment-rate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505082315/http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/879-bpo-spurs-local-employment-rate |archive-date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=October 29, 2016}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===

[[File:Mansion de Lopez (Lopez Heritage House or Nelly's Garden) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|260px|[[Lopez Heritage House]], also known as Nelly Garden, is one of the most popular heritage mansions in Jaro, Iloilo City.]]

Tourism significantly boosts Iloilo’s economy, with the city serving as the gateway to Western Visayas. Festivals like [[Dinagyang Festival|Dinagyang]], [[Kasadyahan]], [[Paraw Regatta]] (Asia’s oldest sailing event), and the [[Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro|Feast of Our Lady of the Candles]] draw millions of visitors annually. Tourism slogans such as "Where the Past is Always Present" are coupled with the city's numerous centuries-old houses and buildings that coexist with its modern architecture. Attractions include heritage landmarks, museums, art galleries, parks, and a vibrant nightlife centered at [[Smallville Business Complex|Smallville Complex]].

Iloilo’s Spanish-era heritage is showcased through its centuries-old churches, historic buildings, and mansions of prominent families. The city is also a gastronomic hub which has been hailed as the country's first [[UNESCO]] [[City of Gastronomy|Creative City of Gastronomy]], is renowned for dishes like [[Batchoy|La Paz batchoy]], [[pancit Molo]], [[Cansi|kansi]], [[laswa]], [[Kadyos, baboy, kag langka|KBL (kadyos, baboy kag langka)]], [[chicken inasal]], tinuom, and [[Kadyos, manok, kag ubad|KMU (kadyos, manok, kag ubad)]].

In 2018, Iloilo recorded 1,242,087 tourist arrivals—the highest in Western Visayas—including 1,154,550 domestic visitors, 70,787 foreigners, and 16,750 overseas workers. This rose by 11.59 percent in 2019,<ref name="Iloilo province's 2019 tourist arrivals up 11.59%">[https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-provinces-2019-tourist-arrivals-up-11-59/ Iloilo province's 2019 tourist arrivals up 11.59%] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222173254/https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-provinces-2019-tourist-arrivals-up-11-59/ |date=February 22, 2022 }}. Retrieved February 23, 2022.</ref> reaching approximately 1.39 million, and hit 1.4 million in 2020 despite [[COVID-19 pandemic|global challenges]].<ref name="2020 target: 1.4M tourist arrivals in Iloilo City">[https://imtnews.net/2020-target:-1.4m-tourist-arrivals-in-iloilo-city 2020 target: 1.4M tourist arrivals in Iloilo City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222173519/https://imtnews.net/2020-target:-1.4m-tourist-arrivals-in-iloilo-city |date=February 22, 2022 }}. Retrieved February 23, 2022.</ref> In 2024, Iloilo City's tourist arrival breached a 1 million mark. A total of 1,001,028 local and foreign tourists visited the city during the said year, higher by 12.95 percent compared to 2023’s 886,283 visitors.<ref name="Iloilo City tourist arrivals breach 1M mark">[https://www.imtnews.ph/iloilo-city-tourist-arrivals-breach-1m-mark/ Iloilo City tourist arrivals breach 1M mark]. Retrieved August 08-08-2025.</ref>

=== Shopping and retail ===

[[File:SM City Iloilo, Aug 2024 (1).jpg|thumb|[[SM City Iloilo]] is the largest mall in the city as well as in Western Visayas.]]

Iloilo City is the shopping hub of Western Visayas since colonial times and has experienced a retail boom in the post-independence era. [[Hoskyn's Department Store]], opened in 1877 on [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]], was the Philippines’ first department store,<ref>Articulos que ordinariamente reciben y venden Hoskyn y ca. del comercio de Iloilo, 1895</ref> introducing fixed pricing and offering diverse goods from English wool to machinery.<ref name="The Royal Street of Iloilo: Calle Real">{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211633/http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/heritage-sites/1412/calle-real/ The Royal Street of Iloilo: Calle Real]}}. Retrieved October 30, 2018.</ref><ref name="Calle Real, Iloilo City's heritage street, restored">[https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/76854/calle-real-iloilo-citys-heritage-street-restored/ Calle Real, Iloilo City's heritage street, restored] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170418/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/76854/calle-real-iloilo-citys-heritage-street-restored/|date=October 30, 2018}}. Retrieved October 30, 2018.</ref> Acquired by the Que family post-World War II, it became [[Washington Supermart]].<ref>November 1938 issue of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal (Vol. XVIII, No. 11; page 6).</ref> Marymart Shopping Center opened in 1972, followed by [[SM Delgado]] in 1979—the first SM outside Manila—and The Atrium in 1993, a hotel-retail mix.

Modern malls includes [[SM City Iloilo]], opened in 1999, which is the city's largest mall, Robinsons Iloilo, [[Robinsons Jaro]], Gaisano Capital La Paz, Gaisano Capital Iloilo City Center, and Megaworld’s [[Festive Walk Mall|Festive Walk Iloilo]] and Festive Walk Parade—the latter the country’s longest dining strip.<ref name="Megaworld set to open Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo">[https://www.rappler.com/business/195296-megaworld-festive-walk-mall-iloilo-business-park Megaworld set to open Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170506/https://www.rappler.com/business/195296-megaworld-festive-walk-mall-iloilo-business-park|date=October 30, 2018}}. Retrieved October 30, 2018.</ref><ref name="Iloilo realty scene takes a festive walk">[https://business.inquirer.net/253337/iloilo-realty-scene-takes-festive-walk Iloilo realty scene takes a festive walk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170456/https://business.inquirer.net/253337/iloilo-realty-scene-takes-festive-walk|date=October 30, 2018}}. Retrieved October 30, 2018.</ref><ref name="Megaworld opens 1st lifestyle mall in VisMin">{{cite news |date=July 3, 2018 |title=Megaworld opens 1st lifestyle mall in VisMin |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/megaworld-opens-1st-lifestyle-mall-in-vismin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203043902/https://www.bworldonline.com/megaworld-opens-1st-lifestyle-mall-in-vismin/ |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |work=Business World}}</ref> Additional shopping centers include CityMall Tagbak, CityMall Parola, Jaro Town Square, GT Mall Molo, City Times Square, and The Shops at Atria by [[Ayala Malls]].

Upcoming mall developments include SM City Jaro, Sta. Lucia Mall, and Atria Gardens. Beyond the city center, malls on Iloilo City’s outskirts cater to growing suburban demand. Vista Mall Iloilo, part of the 500-hectare Vista Estate township, is located in [[Oton]]. Other malls, including Robinsons Pavia, GT Plaza Pavia, and CityMall Ungka, are situated in [[Pavia, Iloilo|Pavia]].

==Culture==

Culture and tradition play a significant role in shaping Iloilo City’s heritage. Home to numerous cultural institutions, including national museums, heritage houses, and mansions, Iloilo is sometimes referred to as the "museum city" and "city of mansions."

===Museums===

[[File:Iloilo_Museum_of_Contemporary_Art_(Casa_de_Emperador).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art]] (ILOMOCA), the first contemporary and modern art museum outside Luzon.]]

[[File:National Museum of the Philippines in Western Visayas.jpg|thumb|The [[National Museum Western Visayas|National Museum of the Philippines – Western Visayas]] housed in the old Iloilo Provincial Jail turned museum.]]

Iloilo City hosts a wide variety of museums that cover ancient and contemporary art, cultural and economic history, and science. Artifacts predating the Spanish era—such as pottery, porcelain, gold, and plates—unearthed across Iloilo are displayed in these museums, alongside works by notable Filipino artists with roots in the region. The [[Western Visayas Regional Museum]] of the [[National Museum of the Philippines]], housed in the restored former [[Iloilo Provincial Jail]], showcasing artifacts from different parts of the region. Its regional headquarters is located in the refurbished old [[Jaro Municipal Hall]]. Other museums feature memorabilia of prominent figures and families, artworks, and artifacts.

Among the notable museums in Iloilo City are [[Museo Iloilo]], the first government-built museum outside Manila, and the [[Museum of Philippine Economic History]], housed in a restored building once owned by [[Ynchausti y Compañía|Ynchausti y Compania]]. The museum narrates the evolution of the Philippine economy and features 13 galleries with artifacts such as looms from [[Miagao|Miag-ao]], [[T'nalak|T’nalak]] from Mindanao, and gold accessories from [[Pampanga]].

[[File:Museo Iloilo.jpg|thumb|[[Museo Iloilo]] is the first provincial museum outside Metro Manila.]]

The [[Museum of Philippine Maritime History]], located at the [[Iloilo Customs House]], showcases the history of maritime trade in the Philippines. The [[Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art]] (ILOMOCA) at Casa de Emperador in [[Iloilo Business Park]] is [[Megaworld|Megaworld Corporation]]’s first museum project and the first in Visayas and Mindanao dedicated to modern and contemporary art.<ref name="1st Contemporary Art Museum in VisMin opens in Iloilo City">[http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/1st-contemporary-art-museum-in-vismin-opens-in-iloilo-city/ 1st Contemporary Art Museum in VisMin opens in Iloilo City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133242/http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/1st-contemporary-art-museum-in-vismin-opens-in-iloilo-city/|date=July 3, 2018}}. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref> [[File:Henry Luce III Library - Central Philippine University.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Central Philippine University Library|Henry Luce III Library]] of [[Central Philippine University]] houses special collections like the [[Hinilawod|Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings]], a [[Memory of the World Register|UNESCO Memory of the World Register]] inscribed documentary heritage.]] It includes five exhibit rooms, such as The Hulot Exhibit, featuring works by local and international artists like [[Salvador Dalí]], [[Marc Chagall]], and [[Joan Miró]].<ref>[https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/06/24/18/new-iloilo-museum-boosts-regions-art-and-culture-scene New Iloilo museum boosts region's art and culture scene] . abs-cbn.com, Retrieved March 7, 2018</ref><ref name="Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park Adds Art to the Township">[https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2018/03/24/1799701/megaworlds-iloilo-business-park-adds-art-township-mix Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park Adds Art to the Township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703104109/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2018/03/24/1799701/megaworlds-iloilo-business-park-adds-art-township-mix|date=July 3, 2018}}. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref>

Other significant institutions include the [[Central Philippine University Library|Henry Luce III Museum and Library]] at [[Central Philippine University]], which houses the region’s largest library and collections like the Meyer Asian Collection, [[Second World War]] documents, and [[UNESCO]]-[[Memory of the World Programme|inscribed]] [[Hinilawod Epics|Hinilawod Epic]] Chant recordings.<ref name="Hinilawod Records of Jocano inscribe in the UNESCO MOWCAP">[https://cpu.edu.ph/news/hinilawod-records-of-jocano-inscribe-in-the-unesco-mowcap/ Hinilawod Records of Jocano inscribe in the UNESCO MOWCAP]. Retrieved 06-08-2024.</ref> Other museums located within universities include the [[University of San Agustin]] Museum, [[University of the Philippines Visayas|UPV]] Art Gallery, [[John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University|John B. Lacson Foundation]] Museum of Maritime Culture and Craft, and Rosendo Mejica Museum.

Heritage house museums, such as [[Camiña Balay Nga Bato]], a 19th-century ancestral home in [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]], and [[Casa Mariquit]], Iloilo’s oldest-existing heritage house in [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], are preserved ancestral houses. Other unique museums include the Agatona 1927 Museum Café, a heritage mansion transformed into a museum café, and the [[Brandy Museum (Philippines)|Brandy Museum]], the first and only museum in the Philippines dedicated to [[brandy]], showcasing the histories of five brands under [[Emperador, Inc.]] Science XPdition Iloilo, located at the [[Festive Walk Mall]], is Iloilo City's first museum focused entirely on science and interactive learning.

===Festivals===
[[File:ATI Warrior of Dinagysng Festial.jpg|thumb|[[Dinagyang]], one of the largest festivals in the Philippines.]]Iloilo’s cultural celebrations are deeply influenced by [[Hispanic]] traditions and are sometimes referred to as the "festival capital" in the Philippines. The [[Dinagyang Festival]], held every fourth Sunday of January, honors the [[Santo Niño de Cebú|Santo Niño de Cebu]], is one of the largest and most popular festivals in the Philippines, while the [[Kasadyahan Festival]], the preceding Saturday, features a competition of regional festivals.

The [[Jaro Fiesta]] or the Feast of Our Lady of the Candles, held February 2, is the largest Marian festival outside [[Luzon]], honoring the [[Virgin of Candelaria]], patron of [[Western Visayas]], [[Negros Occidental]], and [[Romblon]], with pageantry, a carnival queen from wealthy Spanish-Filipino families, cockfighting at Iloilo Coliseum, and an agro-industrial fair at [[Jaro Plaza]]. The Iloilo [[Chinese Lunar New Year]], celebrating the city’s centuries-old Chinese community, is the largest such celebration outside Manila’s [[Binondo]], rooted in [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]]’s history as the second-oldest [[Chinatown]] after Binondo.

The Festival of Lights and Music at Central Philippine University, the region’s longest-running university-based Christmas festival since 1991, illuminates its {{Convert|24|ha|acre|adj=on}} Jaro campus from December to January 6 with lights, carnival rides, and bazaars. The [[Paraw Regatta Festival|Paraw Regatta]] in February, Asia’s oldest traditional sailing event, includes competitions and festivities in [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]]. Recent additions like the Iloilo Summer Arts Festival (April–May since 2020) and the Iloilo Arts Festival (December since 2021) highlight Ilonggo visual and performing arts.<ref name="Iloilo Summer Arts Festival 2020 launched">[https://www.iloilotoday.com/iloilo-summer-arts-festival/ Iloilo Summer Arts Festival 2020 launched] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212185515/https://www.iloilotoday.com/iloilo-summer-arts-festival/|date=December 12, 2021}}. Retrieved December 13, 2021.</ref>

===Arts===
Iloilo’s local government promotes the city as the "art capital" by transforming public spaces into canvases for murals and paintings depicting its history and culture, with support from local artists and real estate developers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tayona |first=Glenda |date=2022-12-12 |title=Art flourishes in the City of Love |url=https://www.panaynews.net/art-flourishes-in-the-city-of-love/#:~:text=Iloilo%20City%20Mayor%20Jerry%20P,provides%20avenues%20for%20local%20artists. |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref> A notable example is the 3D mural of [[Dinagyang]] warriors at [[Iloilo River Esplanade]].

===Entertainment===

[[File:Iloilo Convention Center (Megaworld Boulevard, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; 10-22-2022).jpg|thumb|[[Iloilo Convention Center]] in [[Iloilo Business Park]]]]

Teatro Malhabour, recognized as the first cinema or movie house outside Manila, opened in July 1908, in Iloilo. The city also houses other prominent cinema houses including Cine Palace, the oldest still-existing and operating movie theater in Iloilo, and the now-defunct Cine Eagle, both built in 1928 and located on [[Calle Real, Iloilo|Calle Real]]. Modern cinemas in the city screen a wide array of present-day films, both national and international. The [[Film Development Council of the Philippines]] has also established a [[cinematheque]] theater in the city.

The annual Iloilo Film Festival, held during Dinagyang, features a plethora of films screened during the festival. The [[Iloilo Convention Center]] is hosting international and local musical, band, and solo performances or concerts.<ref name="business.inquirer.net">{{cite news|url=http://business.inquirer.net/97387/iloilo-set-to-turn-into-a-convention-hub|title=Iloilo set to turn into a convention hub|first=Nestor Jr.|last=Burgos|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=October 29, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233714/http://business.inquirer.net/97387/iloilo-set-to-turn-into-a-convention-hub|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Rose Memorial Auditorium]] at [[Central Philippine University]], the region’s largest theater, hosts events like the [[Bombo Radyo Philippines|Bombo Music Festival]] and is designated as a [[Cultural Center of the Philippines|Cultural Center of the Philippines Regional Art Center]].<ref name="Bombo Music Festival 2018 Updates">[http://www.bomboradyo.com/bombo-music-festival-entry-form-download/ Bombo Music Festival 2018 Updates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112101922/http://www.bomboradyo.com/bombo-music-festival-entry-form-download/|date=January 12, 2018}}. Retrieved.</ref><ref name="CCP expands regional art centers">{{Cite web |date=2015-04-26 |title=CCP expands regional art centers |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/191558/ccp-expands-regional-art-centers/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Lifestyle.INQ |language=en-US}}</ref>

Universities in Iloilo have established cultural and art groups gaining recognition for performances held nationally and internationally, some of which are sponsored by national cultural government agencies. The [[University of San Agustin]] has established the USA Troubadours, while Central Philippine University is home to the [[CPU Bahandi Singers]], the [[CPU Handbell Choir]] (the first 8-octave handbell choir in the Philippines), and the CPU Sari-Saot Dance Troupe.<ref name="CCP Launches Art Centers in the Province">{{Cite web |title=CCP Launches Art Centers in the Provinces {{!}} Cultural Center of the Philippines |url=http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/ccp-launches-art-centers-in-the-provinces/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112100924/http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/ccp-launches-art-centers-in-the-provinces/ |archive-date=January 12, 2018 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=culturalcenter.gov.ph |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Kaisa sa Sining: The CCP Regional Art Centers & University/College Art Associates">{{Cite web |title=CCP Broadens its Kaisa sa Sining Regional Art Centers {{!}} Cultural Center of the Philippines |url=http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/programs/kaisa-sa-sining-regional-arts-centers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112221627/http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/programs/kaisa-sa-sining-regional-arts-centers/ |archive-date=January 12, 2018 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=culturalcenter.gov.ph |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
[[File:Iloilo City of Gastronomy UNESCO logo.jpg|thumb|The official logo of Iloilo City for [[UNESCO]] [[City of Gastronomy|Creative City of Gastronomy]]|left]]
[[File:LaPazBatchoy.jpg|thumb|A bowl of [[Batchoy|La Paz Batchoy]]]]

Iloilo City is recognized as a [[UNESCO]] [[City of Gastronomy|Creative City of Gastronomy]] and is widely regarded as the "Food Haven of the Philippines."<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Mallard |first=Thomas |date=October 31, 2023 |title=55 new cities join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on World Cities Day |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/55-new-cities-join-unesco-creative-cities-network-world-cities-day?fbclid=IwAR3uAGKqlFRy_HV5pQemQNikhFuWKizYqT1yp742kqDT-qK-ErwlhBOmAyQ |url-status=live |journal=UNESCO |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324061920/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/55-new-cities-join-unesco-creative-cities-network-world-cities-day?fbclid=IwAR3uAGKqlFRy_HV5pQemQNikhFuWKizYqT1yp742kqDT-qK-ErwlhBOmAyQ |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |access-date=October 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title='FOOD HAVEN OF PH': Iloilo cuisine a gastronomic delight for food lovers |url=https://www.panaynews.net/food-haven-of-ph-iloilo-cuisine-a-gastronomic-delight-for-food-lovers/#:~:text=Dubbed%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CFood%20Haven,many%20Filipinos%20across%20the%20country. |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.panaynews.net |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011234948/https://www.panaynews.net/food-haven-of-ph-iloilo-cuisine-a-gastronomic-delight-for-food-lovers/#:~:text=Dubbed%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CFood%20Haven,many%20Filipinos%20across%20the%20country. |url-status=live }}</ref> Its cuisine has Eastern and Western influences, shaped by the city’s central location and its historical role as a major port. Over three centuries of Spanish colonization have deeply influenced Ilonggo cuisine, introducing dishes shared with other Hispanic-influenced countries, such as [[Menudo (stew)|menudo]], [[afritada]], [[lechon]], [[Philippine adobo|adobo]], and [[estofadong baboy]]. Rooted in Asian traditions, rice remains a staple, typically served plain alongside these dishes. The city is renowned for dishes like [[La Paz Batchoy|La Paz batchoy]], [[pancit Molo]], [[Cansi|kansi]], [[Kadyos, baboy, kag langka|KBL]] (kadyos, baboy kag langka), [[Kadyos, manok, kag ubad|KMU]] (kadyos, manok kag ubad), [[chicken inasal]], tinuom, and [[laswa]].<ref name="The Best La Paz Batchoy in Iloilo">{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=The Best La Paz Batchoy in Iloilo |url=http://primer.com.ph/food/cuisines/asian/filipino/the-best-la-paz-batchoy-in-iloilo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425070054/http://primer.com.ph/food/cuisines/asian/filipino/the-best-la-paz-batchoy-in-iloilo/ |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=Primer Media, Inc. |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

A diverse range of restaurants in Iloilo also offers international cuisines, such as [[Italian cuisine|Italian]], [[American cuisine|American]], [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]], [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnamese]], [[German cuisine|German]], and [[Thai cuisine|Thai]], while the growth of luxury hotels has introduced high-end buffets and exclusive dining experiences. Iloilo City is also the birthplace of [[Mang Inasal]], the country’s first fast-food chain serving chicken inasal, founded in 2003 by [[Edgar Sia]]. From its origins in Iloilo, Mang Inasal has expanded nationwide.<ref name="Mang Inasal: History">[https://www.manginasal.com/about-us/ Mang Inasal: History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032341/https://www.manginasal.com/about-us/|date=April 30, 2019}}. Retrieved April 30, 2019.</ref>

Spanish influence also introduced baking traditions to Iloilo, leading to the establishment of historic bakeries still operating today, including Panaderia ni Paa, established in the 1900s, and Deocampo: The Original Barquillos, founded in the 1800s, both located in Jaro, as well as Panaderia de Molo, also founded in the 1800s, in Molo. The bakeries are known for sweet delicacies such as [[barquillo]]s, thin rolled cookies, and [[biscocho]], hardened baked bread slices coated with milk and margarine.<ref>[http://www.iloilo.net.ph/deocampo/ DEOCAMPO: THE ORIGINAL BARQUILLOS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032253/http://www.iloilo.net.ph/deocampo/|date=April 30, 2019}}. Retrieved April 30, 2019.</ref>

=== Sports ===
[[File:Iloilo Sports Complex 05-2022 (1).jpg|thumb|The grandstand and basketball court at the [[Iloilo Sports Complex]].]]
The Iloilo City Sports Office oversees sports activities in Iloilo City, organizing competitions among its [[Districts of Iloilo City|seven districts]]. The Iloilo City Inter-District Basketball Tournament includes teams from [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]], [[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]], [[Mandurriao]], [[Iloilo City Proper|City Proper]], [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]], [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], and [[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]]. The Iloilo City Basketball Club (ICBC) organizes basketball for organizations and companies in the city. The [[Iloilo Sports Complex]] in La Paz has a 7,000-seat stadium, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a running track, a football field, and courts for volleyball, basketball, tennis, and badminton, with an indoor gymnasium. The Iloilo City Sports Center at Jalandoni Memorial National High School in Lapuz, began development in 2021 for the Iloilo City Sports Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo City to build P200-M sports center |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1161635 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref>

Iloilo City has three professional sports teams. [[Kaya F.C.–Iloilo]] competes in the [[Philippines Football League]] (PFL), [[AFC Champions League Elite|AFC Champions League]], and [[AFC Champions League Two|AFC Cup]], using the Iloilo Sports Complex as its home venue. [[D'Navigators Iloilo]] competes in the [[Spikers' Turf]]. [[Kaya F.C.–Iloilo (women)|Kaya Women's Futbol]] competes in the [[PFF Women's League|PFF Women’s League]].

=== Media ===
{{see also|List of television and radio stations in Iloilo City}}

Iloilo City’s media include English tabloids like Panay News, [[Daily Guardian (Iloilo)|The Daily Guardian]], News Express, and [[SunStar Iloilo|Sunstar Iloilo]], with Hublas of Panay News as the sole [[Hiligaynon language|Hiligaynon]] tabloid, and Cream Magazine, a glossy lifestyle publication since 1989. [[Bombo Radyo Philippines]], one of the largest radio network stations, was founded in Iloilo City in 1966.

Television began with [[DYAF-TV]] in 1964, evolving into [[ABS-CBN]]’s [[TV Patrol Panay]] on Channel 10 by 1998. [[GMA Network|GMA]]’s TV-6 Iloilo (now Channel 7) started in 1967, upgrading in 1998. Other stations include [[People's Television Network|PTV]] (1992), [[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation|IBC]] (1977), [[GMA News TV]] (2010), and [[TV5 (Philippine TV network)|TV5 Iloilo]] (2012). [[Radio Mindanao Network|RMN]]’s BEAM TV 26, relaunched in 2010, with digital broadcasting in 2012.

==Government==
[[File:Iloilo City Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Iloilo City Hall]] is the seat of city government]]

Iloilo City serves as both the regional capital of Western Visayas and the provincial capital of [[Iloilo province|Iloilo Province]], functioning as a key economic center in the Philippines. Classified as a first-income-class, [[Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification|highly urbanized city]] (HUC), it hosts regional and provincial offices of national government agencies and operates independently from the province of Iloilo, meaning its residents cannot vote for provincial officials.

The city is governed by the [[Mayor of Iloilo City]], the chief executive, assisted by a vice mayor, and represented by a [[Iloilo City's at-large congressional district|lone congressman]] in the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]]. The Iloilo City Council, a 15-member legislative body, is elected during general elections alongside the mayor and vice mayor, convening monthly at [[Iloilo City Hall]] in sessions open to the public, with decisions typically prepared by various boards and committees.<ref name="THE ILOILO CITY COUNCIL">[https://iloilocitycouncil.org/the-iloilo-city-council/ THE ILOILO CITY COUNCIL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425031643/https://iloilocitycouncil.org/the-iloilo-city-council/ |date=April 25, 2019 }}. Retrieved April 25, 2019.</ref> The city is subdivided into 180 barangays, each led by a barangay captain elected in national barangay elections.<ref name="panaynews.net">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-11-13 |title=7 city district ABC presidents elected |url=https://www.panaynews.net/7-city-district-abc-presidents-elected/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Each of the [[Districts of Iloilo City|city's seven districts]] has a district president elected from among its barangay captains for the [[Association of Barangay Captains]] (ABC).<ref name="panaynews.net"/> In 1955, [[Rodolfo Ganzon]] became the first popularly elected mayor, notable for authoring the Iloilo City Freedom Law, which restored residents’ rights to elect their mayor, vice mayor, and 10 councilors across the seven districts.<ref>[https://www.philstar.com/nation/2003/10/30/226029/145grand-timawa146-dies-81#UfSXliBuWTgSPQ2o.99 'Grand Timawa' dies at 81] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425044829/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2003/10/30/226029/145grand-timawa146-dies-81#UfSXliBuWTgSPQ2o.99 |date=April 25, 2019 }}. Retrieved April 25, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/rodolfo_ganzon.htm Senate of the Philippines Senator Profiles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510211419/http://senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/rodolfo_ganzon.htm |date=May 10, 2019 }}. Retrieved April 25, 2019</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0; margin-top:0;" align=center
! colspan="4" align="center" style="background:#ccf;" | City Government of Iloilo
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" align="center" | [[Mayor]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| colspan="3" align="center" | [[Raisa Treñas|Raisa Maria Lourdes S. Treñas-Chu]] ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" align="center" | [[Deputy Mayor|Vice Mayor]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:{{party color|Lakas-CMD}};" |
| colspan="3" align="center" | Lady Julie Grace L. Baronda ([[Lakas–CMD|Lakas]])
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" align="center" | [[Sangguniang Panglungsod|Sangguniang Panglungsod Members]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Sedfrey L. Cabaluna ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Mandrie T. Malabor ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
|-
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Jose Maria Miguel S. Treñas ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
! style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}};" |
| align="center" |Johnny Y. Young ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
|-
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Rex Marcus B. Sarabia ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
! style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}};" |
| align="center" |Romel D. Duron ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}};" |
| align="center" |Alan A. Zaldivar ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Rudolph Jeffrey O. Ganzon ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
|-
! style="background:{{party color|National Unity Party (Philippines)}};" |
| align="center" |Lyndon V. Acap ([[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]])
! style="background:{{party color|Lakas-CMD}};" |
| align="center" |Sheen Marie S. Mabilog ([[Lakas-CMD|Lakas]])
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}};" |
| align="center" |Jose Maria B. Dela Llana ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
! style="background:{{party color|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}};" |
| align="center" |Frances Graces V. Parcon-Torres ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
|-
! colspan="4" align="center" |[[Liga ng mga Barangay|ABC Presidents]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]] – Rodel Mamon
| colspan="2" |[[Mandurriao]] – Ariel Mirar
|- style="text-align: center;"
| colspan="2" align="center" |[[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]] – Ruby Ann Geanga
| colspan="2" |[[Molo, Iloilo City|Molo]] – Lee Quimsing
|- style="text-align: center;"
| colspan="2" align="center" |[[Iloilo City Proper|City Proper]] – Madonna Martin
| colspan="2" |[[Lapuz, Iloilo City|Lapuz]] – Arniel Asturias
|- style="text-align: center;"
| colspan="2" align="center" |[[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]] – Rico Francis Acap
| colspan="2" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" align="center" |[[Sangguniang Kabataan|SK Federation President]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" align="center" | Jelma Crystel Implica
|-
|}

== Infrastructure ==

=== Transportation ===

==== Land ====
[[File:Diversion Road, Iloilo City.jpg|thumb|left|[[Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue]], a major thoroughfare in the city.]]
Major roads in Iloilo City include [[Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue]] (Diversion Road), McArthur Drive, [[General Luna Street]], Avanceña Street, E. Lopez Street, Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Avenue (Circumferential Road 1), [[Iznart Street]], and [[Muelle Loney Street]]. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue, an eight-lane main road with a protected bike lane and two-lane service road, connects Iloilo City to [[Pavia, Iloilo|Pavia]], [[Santa Barbara, Iloilo|Santa Barbara]], and [[Iloilo International Airport]]. Passenger [[jeepney]]s—distinctive for their sleek, sedan-like "passad" design—white metered taxis, and tricycles dominate city travel.

Jeepneys serve fixed routes on major and secondary roads and tricycles cover community streets. Large passad jeepneys, buses, and mini-shuttle vans link Iloilo City to the broader province, [[Panay]], and beyond via [[Roll-on/roll-off|roll-on, roll-off]] (RO-RO) ferry services of the [[Strong Republic Nautical Highway]], reaching [[Metro Manila]], [[Mindoro]], [[Batangas]], [[Cebu]], [[Negros (island)|Negros]] and [[Mindanao]].

[[File:Passad_Jeepney.JPG|thumb|upright|Passad jeepneys in Iloilo City.]]
Iloilo City is among the first cities to adopt mini-bus-like modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in contrast to the national phase-out of older jeepneys under President [[Rodrigo Duterte]]’s administration.<ref name="Modern jeepneys to ply 3 new Iloilo routes">[https://www.bworldonline.com/modern-jeepneys-to-ply-3-new-iloilo-routes/ Modern jeepneys to ply 3 new Iloilo routes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026105921/https://www.bworldonline.com/modern-jeepneys-to-ply-3-new-iloilo-routes/ |date=October 26, 2018 }}. Retrieved October 26, 2018.</ref><ref name="'Modernized' jeeps start plying Iloilo routes">[http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043278 'Modernized' jeeps start plying Iloilo routes.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026104557/http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043278 |date=October 26, 2018 }} Retrieved October 26, 2018.</ref> In March 2019, the [[Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]] (LTFRB) launched a [[Premium Point-to-Point Bus Service|Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus Service]], offering express routes to airports in [[Iloilo International Airport|Cabatuan]], [[Kalibo International Airport|Kalibo]], and [[Godofredo P. Ramos Airport|Caticlan]] (Boracay).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/18/ltfrb-opens-28-p2p-routes-for-franchise/ |title=LTFRB opens 28 P2P routes for franchise |work=Manila Bulletin |author=San Juan, Alexandria Dennise |date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323092336/https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/18/ltfrb-opens-28-p2p-routes-for-franchise/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) system is also being proposed for travel between Iloilo City and the [[Iloilo International Airport|international airport]], as well as other parts in the [[Metro Iloilo–Guimaras|metropolitan area]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo-Santa Barbara Bus Rapid Transit {{!}} PPP Center |url=https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/iloilo-santa-barbara-bus-rapid-transit/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=ppp.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sweden funds study for Metro Iloilo bus rapid transit system |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/30/sweden-funds-study-for-metro-iloilo-bus-rapid-transit-system |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>

There are six integrated transport system (ITS) terminals in the city: the Iloilo North ITS Terminal (North Ceres Bus Terminal) in Tagbak, [[Jaro, Iloilo City|Jaro]], serves northwestern Iloilo, [[Passi City]], and northwestern Panay ([[Capiz]], [[Aklan]], [[Boracay]]). The Iloilo Central Line ITS Terminal (Pavia People's Terminal) in Ungka, Jaro, connects central Iloilo. The Aleosan ITS Terminal in Hibao-an, [[Mandurriao]], links upland areas like [[San Miguel, Iloilo|San Miguel]], [[Alimodian]], and [[Leon, Iloilo|Leon]], including [[Bucari]].

The Iloilo South ITS Terminal (South Ceres Bus Terminal) in Mohon, [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]], covers southern Iloilo and [[Antique (province)|Antique]]. The Iloilo North Coast ITS Terminal in Ticud, [[La Paz, Iloilo City|La Paz]], reaches northern coastal towns like [[Carles, Iloilo|Carles]], [[Sicogon|Sicogon Island]], [[Islas de Gigantes]]. The Festive Walk Transport Hub in Mandurriao, within [[Iloilo Business Park]], provides a modern transit point for passengers within the city and nearby areas.

Iloilo City is widely known as the "Bicycling Capital of the Philippines" through the collaborative efforts of local and national governments, as well as stakeholders, to promote bike-friendly infrastructure. The city boasts nearly {{Convert|100|km}} of bicycle lanes, with the longest along [[Iloilo Diversion Road|Diversion Road]]. Most sections of the [[Iloilo River Esplanade]] also serve as dedicated bicycle lanes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/15/dutch-govt-to-harness-iloilos-bike-friendly-environment|title=Dutch gov't to harness Iloilo's bike-friendly environment|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=October 15, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015185213/https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/15/dutch-govt-to-harness-iloilos-bike-friendly-environment/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="How do you build a city that is sweet to its cyclists?">{{Cite web |date=2017-05-27 |title=WHO {{!}} How do you build a city that is sweet to its cyclists? |url=http://www.who.int/roadsafety/week/2017/iloilo-city-story/en/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527191150/http://www.who.int/roadsafety/week/2017/iloilo-city-story/en/ |archive-date=May 27, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="In Iloilo, they bike for fun, exercise–and good causes">{{Cite web |date=2016-09-05 |title=In Iloilo, they bike for fun, exercise–and good causes |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/237171/in-iloilo-they-bike-for-fun-exercise-and-good-causes/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Lifestyle.INQ |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, the Dutch government partnered with Iloilo City to improve its cycling infrastructure.

==== Air ====
[[File:Iloilo International Airport.jpg|thumb|The [[Iloilo International Airport]] terminal building]]
[[Iloilo International Airport]], the fifth-busiest in the Philippines, is the major airport serving Iloilo City. It is {{convert|19|km|0|abbr=off}} northwest of the city in [[Cabatuan, Iloilo|Cabatuan]] on a {{Convert|188|ha}} site. It was opened to commercial traffic in June 2007, replacing the [[Mandurriao Airport|old Iloilo Airport]] in Mandurriao. The new airport inherited its IATA and ICAO airport codes. It is linked to the city through [[Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue|Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue]] and served by metered taxis, airport shuttle vans, multicabs, and P2P buses. The privatization of the airport is in the pipeline, with Filipino billionaire [[Manny Villar]]’s Prime Asset Venture Incorporated (PAVI) as the proponent with the largest proposed budget at ₱20 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosales |first=Elijah Felice |title=Villar Group venturing into airport business |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/10/04/2389926/villar-group-venturing-airport-business |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

==== Sea ====
[[File:Iloilo International Port (Lapuz, Iloilo City; 11-28-2024) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Visayas Container Terminal]], formerly known as Iloilo Commercial Port Complex]]

The [[Port of Iloilo]], a primary seaport in the central Philippines, is located on Panay’s south coast along the [[Panay Gulf]]. It comprises several major facilities, including the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC), which occupies 20.8 hectares of reclaimed land. In 2024, [[International Container Terminal Services|International Container Terminal Services, Inc.]] (ICTSI) secured a 25-year deal to develop and manage the ICPC, renaming it the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT).

The Iloilo Domestic Port Complex (IDPC), near [[Fort San Pedro (Iloilo)|Fort San Pedro]], handles ferries to other islands. Muelle Loney, opened in 1855, now accommodates smaller ships and fast ferries to nearby islands. The Port of Iloilo ranks third in ship visits (11,853), fourth in cargo volume (491,719 million metric tons), and fourth in passenger traffic (2.4 million) annually.

The ferry port in Parola, City Proper, uses small boats to connect to Guimaras. [[Roll-on/roll-off|Roll-on, roll-off]] (RO-RO) ferries also serve nearby islands. The [[Iloilo Fish Port Complex]] (IFPC) in City Proper, spanning 21 hectares, is the main fish trading hub in the Visayas, supplying stores, hotels, and markets locally and internationally. In March 2022, it received ₱570 million to develop a fish plant, canning area, and new energy source.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo Fish Port Complex |url=https://pfda.gov.ph/transparency/about-us/fish-ports/iloilo-fish-port-complex |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805084948/https://pfda.gov.ph/transparency/about-us/fish-ports/iloilo-fish-port-complex |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=pfda.gov.ph}}</ref>

==== Rail ====

[[File:Panay Railways Old Train.jpg|right|thumb|Old Train of Panay Railways displayed in Plaza Libertad of Iloilo City.]]

The railway system on the island of Panay, operated by [[Panay Railways]], originally ran from [[Muelle Loney Street|Muelle Loney Wharf]] along the [[Iloilo River]] to [[Roxas City]] in [[Capiz]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panay Railways |url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2006/07/28/panay.railways.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705134545/http://www.thenewstoday.info/2006/07/28/panay.railways.html |archive-date=July 5, 2009 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=www.thenewstoday.info}}</ref> It operated for nearly 80 years, beginning in 1907, but ceased operations in the 1980s due to mounting losses and cash flow problems. Since its closure, there have been multiple proposals to revive the railway system. In 2022, Panay Railways announced its openness to foreign ownership as part of efforts to reconstruct its former train lines. The proposed revival aims to reconnect major cities in Panay, including Iloilo City, Roxas City, and potentially extend the system to Caticlan ([[Boracay]]) in [[Malay, Aklan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guardian |first=Daily |date=March 23, 2022 |title=Panay Railways chief open to foreign ownership to rehab defunct rail system |url=https://dailyguardian.com.ph/panay-railways-chief-open-to-foreign-ownership-to-rehab-defunct-rail-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006030701/https://www.dailyguardian.com.ph/panay-railways-chief-open-to-foreign-ownership-to-rehab-defunct-rail-system/ |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Daily Guardian |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Utilities ===

Iloilo City gets its power from two big plants in Ingore, La Paz. The Panay Power Corporation runs a 72 megawatts (MW) diesel fuel power plant. The Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) runs a 164 MW coal power plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbpc.com.ph/content/pedc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121017/http://www.gbpc.com.ph/content/pedc.html|url-status=dead|title=Panay Energy Development Corporation<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/16649-mix-of-coal-and-diesel-still-cheapest-for-iloilo-electricity|title=Mix of coal and diesel still cheapest for Iloilo electricity|first=Tara|last=Yap|access-date=October 29, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030075837/http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/16649-mix-of-coal-and-diesel-still-cheapest-for-iloilo-electricity|archive-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> PEDC plans for a third coal plant to the existing 164 MW setup, which will make an extra 150 MW, bringing the total to 404 MW for Panay and Guimaras islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=518006 |title=PEDC plans for a third coal-fired power generation facility|website=Philippine News Agency |access-date=April 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517154732/http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=518006 |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Coal power plant in Iloilo City.png|left|300px|thumb|Panay Energy and Development Corporation's coal-fired power plant in Ingore, La Paz]]

The [[Panay Electric Company]] (PECO) handled power distribution in Iloilo City since 1923, making it one of the oldest private electric power companies in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fphc.com/MajorInvestments.php?ArticleID=37|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510002331/http://www.fphc.com/MajorInvestments.php?ArticleID=37|url-status=dead|title=First Philippine Holdings Corporation<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> In 2019, [[MORE Electric and Power Corporation]] (MORE Power), owned by Spanish-Filipino billionaire [[Enrique K. Razon]] became the new sole power distribution company in the city. Since then, it introduced modern power services in the city, including the installation of an underground cabling system.

Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) is the city’s sole water supplier.<ref>[https://metropacificwater.com/metro-pacific-iloilo-water/ Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MIW)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022134926/https://metropacificwater.com/metro-pacific-iloilo-water/ |date=October 22, 2021 }}. Retrieved October 17, 2020.</ref> It was established as a joint venture of Metro Pacific Water (MPW) and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) to improve clean water supply for Iloilo City and as well as the whole [[Iloilo metropolitan area]].<ref>[https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073760 Joint venture firm takes over water distribution in Iloilo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303080328/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073760 |date=March 3, 2022 }}. Retrieved October 17, 2020.</ref><ref name="MPIC-led firm takes over Iloilo water distribution">[https://www.bworldonline.com/mpic-led-firm-takes-over-iloilo-water-distribution/ MPIC-led firm takes over Iloilo water distribution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624035007/https://www.bworldonline.com/mpic-led-firm-takes-over-iloilo-water-distribution/ |date=June 24, 2021 }}. Retrieved October 17, 2020.</ref> In 2025, MPW began construction of the [[Iloilo Desalination Plant]], which is set to become the largest desalination facility in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castor |first=Rjay Zuriaga |date=2025-02-25 |title=Largest desalination plant in Philippines to rise in Iloilo |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/25/regions/largest-desalination-plant-in-philippines-to-rise-in-iloilo/2061262 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref> The city has also begun constructing a new integrated solid waste management facility in Ingore, La Paz as the sanitary landfill in Calahunan, Mandurriao, which has served Iloilo City for years, is nearing the end of its lifespan and is expected to reach full capacity by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo City OKs updated 10-year solid waste development plan |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1243007 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref>

== Healthcare ==
[[File:Qualimed Hospital Iloilo.jpg|thumb|Healthway QualiMed Hospital Iloilo, one of the most modern private hospitals in the city]]
The Iloilo City Health Office, in collaboration with the [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] (DOH), oversees the planning and implementation of city government healthcare programs, including free immunizations for children targeting seven major diseases: smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever, whooping cough, polio, and measles. The city operates health centers in its barangays under the City Health Office’s supervision.

Three government-run hospitals serve the city: [[West Visayas State University Medical Center]] (WVSUMC), [[Western Visayas Medical Center]] (WVMC), and the under-construction Iloilo City Hospital (ICH). Some of the private and church-affiliated hospitals in the city are [[Iloilo Mission Hospital]] (IMH) and St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo (SPH Iloilo), both are heritage healthcare institutions.

Other private facilities include [[The Medical City|The Medical City-Iloilo]] (TMC Iloilo), Healthway QualiMed Hospital Iloilo (HQHI), Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center (MIHMC), Medicus Medical Center (MMC), Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital (IDH), Medicus Cancer Institute (MCI), Asia Pacific Medical Center–Iloilo (APMC Iloilo), Seamen’s AMEOSUP Hospital, and the under-construction Supercare Medical Services/Center. Notable maternity centers include the La Paz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center (LMRHC) and CPU Birthing Center.

The Iloilo City Government has introduced an ordinance to position the city as a medical tourism hub. Iloilo has already drawn international patients for follow-up consultations. Local plastic surgeons have also started expanding into aesthetic procedures, though much of their practice remains focused on reconstructive surgeries for conditions such as burns, cleft lips, and palates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iloilo City eyes to become a medical tourism hub |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241949 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref> Western Visayas region as a whole also continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for healthcare technology service providers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=W. Visayas positions as healthcare tech services destination |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252948 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref> In July 2025, the first-ever awake brain surgery in the region was successfully performed at [[Western Visayas Medical Center]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defacto |first=Lyndie C. |date=2025-07-19 |title=MEDICAL MILESTONE IN THE REGION: First-ever awake brain surgery in WV successfully performed at WVMC |url=https://www.panaynews.net/medical-milestone-in-the-region-first-ever-awake-brain-surgery-in-wv-successfully-performed-at-wvmc/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=Panay News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{See also|List of universities and colleges in Iloilo}}

[[File:CPU Church front view.jpg|thumb|[[Central Philippine University]] is the largest university in Iloilo City at {{Convert|24|ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}}.]]
[[File:University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Aug 2024.jpg|thumb|[[University of San Agustin]] is the first university in Western Visayas.]]
[[File:UPV Iloilo City & Oblation, Aug 2024.jpg|thumb|The [[Old Iloilo City Hall|main building]] of the [[University of the Philippines Visayas]] – Iloilo City campus.]]

Iloilo City serves as the primary educational hub of the Western Visayas region, with the city and province of Iloilo collectively hosting ten prominent universities. The city itself is home to eight higher education institutions.

* [[Central Philippine University]] (1905) was established in through the efforts of [[American Baptists]], supported by a grant from American industrialist and philanthropist [[John D. Rockefeller]]. It holds the distinction of being the first Baptist-founded university and the second American and Protestant-established university in the Philippines and Asia. CPU has earned accolades from the [[Commission on Higher Education]] (CHED) and is consistently listed in top Asian and global university rankings by [[Quacquarelli Symonds]], [[Times Higher Education]], and AppliedHE (2023).<ref name="University rankings: Find out how your school does (by Philstar)">{{Cite web |last=Cerda |first=Jovan |title=University rankings: Find out how your school does! |url=https://www.philstar.com/campus/2014/05/26/1327524/university-rankings-find-out-how-your-school-does |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref name="QS Asia University Rankings 2023">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=QS Asia University Rankings 2023 - Overall |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/asia-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref>
* The [[University of San Agustin]] (1904) was founded by Spanish [[Augustinians]]. It is the first Augustinian university in Asia and the Pacific and achieved university status in March 1953, marking it as the first university in Western Visayas. 
* [[St. Paul University Iloilo]] (1946) was established by [[American Catholics]] with assistance from the French [[Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres|Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres]], and operates as part of the [[St. Paul University System]]
* [[University of Iloilo]] (1947) was initially founded by the [[López family of Iloilo|Lopez family]] and is now managed by the PHINMA Education Network
* [[John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University]] (1948) was established by [[Juan Bautista Lacson]] and is the first maritime university in the Philippines.

Three government-owned universities operate in Iloilo City:

* [[University of the Philippines Visayas]] (1947) is an autonomous unit of the [[University of the Philippines System]], maintaining a satellite campus in Iloilo City where the [[old Iloilo City Hall]] now serves as its administration building and art gallery, with its main campus in [[Miagao|Miag-ao, Iloilo]].
* [[West Visayas State University]] (1902) was formally established under the guidance of American [[Thomasites]] within the [[Philippine Normal School|Philippine Normal School system]], and is one of the most prominent universities in Iloilo.
* [[Iloilo Science and Technology University]] (1905) was founded as a trade school by Americans succeeding a Spanish-era arts and trade school.

Beyond these, a new campus of [[National University (Philippines)|National University]] (1900) is under construction next to [[SM City Iloilo]] in [[Mandurriao]]. The [[Ateneo Graduate School of Business]], part of [[Ateneo de Manila University]] (1859), operates a satellite campus at [[Ateneo de Iloilo]] (1958), offering a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program as a step toward establishing a full university. [[Philippine Christian University]] (1946) and [[Guimaras State University]] (1964) also maintain smaller extension programs in the city.

The Iloilo City Community College (ICCC), administered by the city government in collaboration with CHED. Additionally, Iloilo City hosts numerous private colleges and schools, including [[Iloilo Doctors' College]] (1972), Westbridge School for Boys (PAREF), [[St. Therese – MTC Colleges]], [[Western Institute of Technology (Philippines)|Western Institute of Technology]] (1964), and religious institutions such as Ateneo de Iloilo, [[Angelicum School Iloilo]] (1978), and [[Colegio de San Jose]] (1872)—the oldest girls’ school in Western Visayas. Religious training centers include St. Joseph Regional Seminary, [[St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary]] (1869), and Mill Hill Formation House. The [[Department of Education (Philippines)|Department of Education]] – Division of Iloilo City oversees 88 private schools and 52 public schools.<ref>{{cite web |author=Philippine Department of Education |title=Masterlist of Public Schools Schools in Region VI, SY 2007–2008 |url=http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/RO_6PES0708.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323002305/http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/RO_6PES0708.xls |archive-date=March 23, 2012 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Philippine Department of Education |title=Masterlist of Private Schools Schools in Region VI, SY 2007–2008 |url=http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/R06_2007-08%20Masterlist.xls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323002231/http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/R06_2007-08%20Masterlist.xls |archive-date=March 23, 2012 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{main|List of people from Iloilo}}

==Sister cities==
Iloilo City is twinned with:<ref name="PanayNews">{{cite news |last1=Tayona |first1=Glenda |last2=Silubrico |first2=Ruby |title=Iloilo to showcase culture to 'sister cities' tonight|url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-to-showcase-culture-to-sister-cities-tonight/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 |work=Panay News |date=August 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409192355/https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-to-showcase-culture-to-sister-cities-tonight/|archive-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-16 |title=Stronger sister-cities linkage to create more opportunities for Iloilo City |url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/2024/02/16/stronger-sister-cities-linkage-to-create-more-opportunities-for-iloilo-city |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=PIA |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317074134/https://pia.gov.ph/news/2024/02/16/stronger-sister-cities-linkage-to-create-more-opportunities-for-iloilo-city |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guardian |first=Daily |date=2024-03-05 |title=Iloilo City solidifies partnership with South Korean district |url=https://dailyguardian.com.ph/iloilo-city-solidifies-partnership-with-south-korean-district/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Daily Guardian |language=en-US |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317074134/https://dailyguardian.com.ph/iloilo-city-solidifies-partnership-with-south-korean-district/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== International ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Stockton, California|Stockton]], United States, 1956
*{{flagicon|GUM}} [[Hågat, Guam|Hågat]], Guam, 1994
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Qingdao]], China, 2000
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guigang]], China, 2004
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guangxi]], China, 2010
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Huaibei]], China, 2012
*{{flagicon|GUM}} [[Dededo]], Guam, 2012
*{{flagicon|IDN}} [[Palembang]], Indonesia, 2016
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Quanzhou]], China, 2020
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Wuhan]], China, 2021
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Dobong District|Dobong-Gu]], South Korea, 2024
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], United States, 2025
{{div col end}}

=== Domestic ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[General Santos]], South Cotabato, 1980
*[[South Cotabato]], 1980
*[[Quezon City]], Metro Manila, 1994
*[[Marikina City]], Metro Manila, 1994
*[[Mandaue]], Cebu, 2007
*[[Bacolod]], Negros Occidental, 2010
*[[Rosario, Batangas|Rosario]], Batangas, 2011
*[[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]], Metro Manila, 2013
*[[Tacurong]], Sultan Kudarat, 2014
*[[Koronadal]], South Cotabato, 2014
{{div col end}}

===Friendship cities===
Iloilo City also has friendly relations with:<ref name="PanayNews"/>

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Seattle]], United States, 1980
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Icheon]], South Korea, 1995
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brisbane]], Australia, 2000
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Tongyeong]], South Korea, 2003
*{{flagicon|TWN}} [[Hsinchu]], Taiwan, 2004
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Bilbao]], Spain, 2007
*{{flagicon|TWN}} [[Kaoshiung]], Taiwan, 2007
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Daly City]], United States, 2011
*[[Makati]], Metro Manila<ref>{{cite web|title=Iloilo City invites sister cities for Charter Day anniversary|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1039841|date=June 29, 2018|access-date=May 22, 2022|website=pna.gov.ph|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522120257/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1039841|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Puerto Princesa]], Palawan
*[[Taguig City]], Metro Manila
*[[Tagum]], Davao del Norte
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Philippines}}

* [[Iloilo Central Business District]]
* [[Iloilo City Proper]]
* [[Metro Iloilo–Guimaras]]
* [[Iloilo Province]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}

* {{official website}}
* [http://www.iloilo.net.ph/ Iloilo Travel Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113102350/http://www.iloilo.net.ph/ |date=January 13, 2018 }}
* [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Capital of the Philippines|Capital]] of the [[Spanish East Indies]]
| years = 1569–1571
| before = [[Cebu City]]
| after = [[Manila]]
}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Manila]]
}}
{{S-ttl
| title = [[Capital of the Philippines|Capital]] of the [[Spanish East Indies]]
| years = 1898–1899
}}
{{s-non
| reason = [[Philippine Declaration of Independence|Independence declared]]
}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Arevalo, Iloilo City|Arevalo]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Capital of [[Iloilo]]
| years = 1700–present
}}
{{s-inc}}
{{S-end}}

{{Geographic location
| Centre    = Iloilo City
| North     = [[Pavia, Iloilo|Pavia]]
| Northwest = [[San Miguel, Iloilo|San Miguel]]
| Northeast = [[Leganes, Iloilo|Leganes]]
| East      = ''[[Iloilo Strait]]'' / [[Buenavista, Guimaras]]
| South     = ''[[Iloilo Strait]]''<br />[[Jordan, Guimaras]]
| Southwest = ''[[Panay Gulf]]''
| West      = [[Oton]]
}}
{{Iloilo City}}{{Navboxes
| title = Articles related to Iloilo City
| list  = 
{{Metro Iloilo-Guimaras}}
{{Iloilo}}
{{Western Visayas}}
{{Philippine cities}}
{{Most populous cities in Philippines}}
{{Philippine Provincial Capitals}}
{{Spanish Colonial architecture}}
{{Largest cities and municipalities in Visayas}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Iloilo City| ]]
[[Category:1566 establishments in the Philippines]]
[[Category:1581 establishments in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Cities in Iloilo]]
[[Category:Highly urbanized cities in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1566]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1581]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Philippines]]