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 protect and promote the city’s historic Calle Real district. A formal agreement was signed on May 4, 2026, marking the start of a collaborative heritage conservation project. Officials say the initiative will blend public policy with community engagement to revive key cultural landmarks. The memorandum of agreement formalises Project 3: Heritage as Public Policy, a scheme aimed at preserving and promoting Iloilo’s Calle Real buildings. Under the partnership, UPV will work alongside the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, local building owners, and heritage advocates. Activities will include public consultations, field research, and forums to gather input and shape conservation efforts.

Three buildings along Calle Real have already been submitted to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for redevelopment. Repainting and restoration work on these structures is set to begin later in 2026. The project falls under the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS) Local Regional Studies Network, as well as the UP Center for West Visayan Studies’ Panay Weaving and Culinary Heritage Program. At the signing, UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano stressed the need to approach heritage within a structured governance framework. Dr. Rosalie Alacala Hall of UP CIDS, project leader Dr. Mary Rose Rebueno, Emmanuel Gemora of the city’s heritage council, and architect Wilfredo Sy Jr. all signed the agreement. Meanwhile, Mayor Raisa Treñas highlighted parallel efforts to boost the city’s economy, including refurbishments at SM Delgado and SM Jaro to draw more visitors and businesses. The mayor also outlined broader plans to diversify Iloilo’s tourism appeal. These include introducing halal culinary options to attract new markets and transforming the Iloilo River into an ecotourism ‘living classroom’. Such moves aim to complement the heritage project by creating a more dynamic urban experience.

The agreement sets a clear path for preserving Calle Real’s historic buildings while linking conservation to wider economic and tourism goals. With restoration work scheduled for 2026 and ongoing stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to balance heritage protection with modern urban development. The partnership between UPV and the city government will now move into its implementation phase, focusing on research, policy integration, and community involvement.