Iloilo City Public Library

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐑: 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

Advancing its global standing as one of the United Nations’ Cities Towards Zero Waste, Iloilo City successfully concluded a free, six-day circular fashion and livelihood training program.

Project SALOG (Strengthening Adaptive Livelihoods and Organizing Grassroots Circular Enterprises) equipped 60 participants from the Women in Iloilo City for Sustainable Economy (WISE) of Barangay Lanit, Jaro with high-value dressmaking and upcycling skills.

The program focuses on circular fashion, transforming discarded fabrics, such as old linens, used bedsheets, and ukay-ukay, into wearable garments and accessories, effectively diverting textile waste from landfills.

The training concluded on June 17, 2026, at the Iloilo City Business Center.

Internationally acclaimed Ilonggo lifestyle designer, PJ Arañador, spearheaded the training.

“The output is to create garments that we can sell two ways: ready-made or haute couture, utilizing thrown-away textiles," he said.

While the concept of sustainability was easily embraced, mastering the technical ex*****on proved to be the real challenge due to the intricate nature of traditional Filipino garment making.

"We stitch not only dresses but also resilience, identity, and cultural preservation through culture using pre-loved fabrics and clothing with high-value products with zero-waste manufacturing." Arañador shared in a Facebook post.

SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS ENTREPRENEURS

For the participants, Project SALOG represents an additional income stream for an Ilonggo family.

Mildred Basea, a stay-at-home mother who discovered her passion for sewing through her mother's old machine, eagerly seized the opportunity to professionalize her skills.

“Gusto ko nga makahibalo magtahi sang bayo, blouses. Amo na nga sang nagka-opportunity nga magtraining, gin grab ko. Nami amon trainor kay gina guide gid kami. Subong, ang ginahimo namon pang-livelihood, nga maka-create kami sang pwede namon ibaligya,” Basea shared.

Another participant, Glaizel Mae Jaucian, who started sewing on a portable machine during the pandemic and previously completed a dressmaking course through the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, noted that the grassroots enterprise is already generating income.

“Naka-income na kami sa ecobag. May ara kami customer nga around 200 bags gin-order sa amon. Daku gid nga opportunity kay ginhatag ni sa amon libre lang,” Jaucian said.

Project SALOG’s success highlights a robust partnership between local government, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies.

The sewing equipment utilized by the weavers is part of the 24 heavy-duty sewing units donated by the Angat Buhay Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and four sewing units previously procured by the City General Services Office (GSO) funded through the city's plastic credits program.

The entire training was organized and managed by the City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office. (Iloilo City PIO)

PREPAREDNESS IN ACTION, SAFETY IN MOTION 🏢🚨

Today, the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Learning Resource Center and Library Hubs joined the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), demonstrating our commitment to safety, preparedness, and disaster readiness.

This activity serves as an important reminder that being prepared and knowing what to do during emergencies are simple yet powerful ways to protect ourselves, our colleagues, and our families.

Together, we build a safer and more resilient community. 💙

Patrons dropping by the Outdoor Library! 📚

📚🌳 Learning knows no boundaries! Our patrons make the most of the outdoor space as they continue their studies in a quiet and comfortable environment.

𝐃𝐎𝐇 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐔 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐕

The Department of Health–Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WV CHD) held a Media Forum on June 16, 2026, at the DOH WVCHD Conference Hall to highlight flagship programs expanding access to health services.

These include the Zero Balance Billing Program (ZBB), Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers, and PuroKalusugan.

Regional Director Dr. Helen Tobias, MPA, MDM, CESE, presented updates on the initiatives, stressing their role in advancing Universal Health Care to ensure that no Filipino is denied medical services due to financial constraints, distance, or limited access.

Dr. Carl Andre Diesca explained that the Zero Balance Billing Program ensures eligible patients pay no out-of-pocket expenses in government health facilities, with costs covered by PhilHealth.

During the session, Diesca shared that a total of 11,000 patients benefited during the first five months of the year at the WVMC, while nearly 4,000 were served at Don Jose Monfort Medical Center. The Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital has yet to release its figures.

Ms. Christine Mosqueda outlined BUCAS policies, while Dr. Edene Jamoyot reported on operations.

A total of three BUCAS Centers are operating in Western Visayas, including WVMC, WVSGH, and Don Jose Monfort Medical Center, providing subsidized patient care, minor surgeries, and emergency services, with a new facility in Batad now under construction.

Patient records show WVMC served 8,265 individuals and Don Jose Monfort Medical Center handled 1,922 between January and mid-June.

Senior Health Program Officer John Michael Añes also presented the PuroKalusugan program, which brings integrated health services directly to barangays.

The program focuses on primary care by ensuring households and communities receive essential interventions such as routine immunization, nutrition counseling, safe water practices, prenatal and postnatal care, testing, and community-based screening.

As of 2025, a total of 23, 675 of Barangay Health Workers in Western Visayas, with 309 registered and accredited BHWs in Iloilo City. (Iloilo City PIO)

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄, 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘? 🚴‍♀️🚴

The Grand Fun Ride is officially hitting the roads on June 21, 2026, for the 12th Iloilo Bike Festival!

For just P50, you get to tackle a fun route, grab snacks and drinks, and get a chance to win one of TWO brand-new MTBs in the raffle draw! Plus, we're giving out special prizes for the best groups, unique bikes, and more.

📍 Where: Park Square, Megaworld Iloilo Business Park
🕒 Onsite Registration: 2:00 PM | Ride Out: 4:30 PM

Check out the details or scan the QR code and register today! Let’s keep Iloilo City moving!