Iloilo City and UPV unite to revive historic Calle Real district

The Iloilo City Government and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) have joined forces to preserve and promote the historic Calle Real district. A formal agreement was signed on May 4, 2026, launching Project 3: Heritage as Public Policy, a collaborative effort to protect the area’s ageing buildings and boost local tourism. The memorandum of agreement was signed by key officials, including Dr. Rosalie Alacala Hall of UP CIDS, Dr. Mary Rose Rebueno, Emmanuel Gemora of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, and Ar. Wilfredo Sy Jr. UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano highlighted the need to approach heritage conservation through structured governance and stakeholder involvement.

Mayor Raisa Treñas called the partnership well-timed, as the city aims to revive foot traffic and attract new businesses to the city centre. The project will bring together building owners, heritage advocates, and local institutions through consultations, field research, and public forums to strengthen preservation efforts. Three buildings along Calle Real have already been submitted to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for redevelopment and repainting, with work set to begin in 2026. Beyond restoration, the initiative includes forward-looking plans such as introducing halal culinary options to broaden Iloilo’s tourism appeal. Another proposal involves developing the Iloilo River as an ecotourism ‘living classroom’ to further enhance the city’s cultural and environmental offerings.

The agreement marks a step toward embedding heritage conservation into public policy and governance. By combining restoration with new economic and tourism initiatives, the project seeks to revitalise Calle Real while preserving its historical significance. Implementation of key activities, including building renovations, is expected to start later this year.