Insider Spotlight:
What she said
“We would like to do more here in Iloilo, especially with Mayor [Jerry Treñas] and [Mayor-elect] Raisa Treñas. Right now, I know the foundations for all of the businesses are in place,” Sy-Coson said during a June 5 dialogue at City Hall titled “Sustainability: Beyond Business As Usual.”
She added that collaboration with both public and private stakeholders would be key to building a resilient future for Iloilo. “If all the businesses are working together, then there’s even more we can accomplish,” she said, noting the role of former Senator Franklin Drilon in fostering cross-party cooperation.
Recognition from City Hall
In acknowledgment of her contributions to the local economy and civic initiatives, the city government conferred upon Sy-Coson the titles of “Adopted Daughter” and “Honorary Mayor” of Iloilo City.
Mayor Treñas credited SM as a pioneer investor in Iloilo, recalling its first store on Delgado Street in the 1970s and its subsequent expansion into malls, BPO hubs, and residential developments.
Why it matters
Sy-Coson stressed that Iloilo already possesses the building blocks for long-term growth—land, infrastructure, and a civic mindset aligned with sustainability.
“I’ve seen the environment, the flowers, the clean roads,” she said. “Sustainability becomes more urgent when a city becomes crowded. Iloilo still has time to build sustainably.”
Looking ahead
The head of the SM conglomerate signaled interest in exploring solar power and other improvements in electricity and water access. “In our organization, we always say that the community is the responsibility of our business—that’s how we do sustainability,” she said.
She concluded: “It’s really about mindset. The government will do its part, but the real question is: what can you do in your own area?”
