The Iloilo City government, led by Mayor Raisa Treñas, and SM Prime Holdings are ramping up efforts to protect the authenticity of the Iloilo Batchoy, which is considered one of Iloilo’s most iconic culinary traditions.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and her team
Iloilo Batchoy
According to Treñas, local and foreign tourists may enjoy and experience authentic Iloilo Batchoy at Iloilo City’s redeveloped Terminal and Central Markets.
She said that homegrown brands such as Popoy’s Batchoy, Tebanz La Paz Batchoy, and Inggo’s La Paz Batchoy offer authentic Iloilo batchoy experiences for visitors, helping achieve SM Prime Holding’s goal of keeping Iloilo City’s food culture alive.
The redeveloped markets recently joined forces with the local government and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to host the Filipino Food Month 2026 celebration, with the Iloilo Terminal Market serving as venue for its kickoff event.
Aside from this, Treñas has gathered multi-sectoral partners under an intensified initiative to preserve and protect the authenticity of Iloilo Batchoy dubbed “Namit Gid!: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Ilonggo Batchoy”.
She said that the Iloilo City Government has cooperated with the University of the Philippines Visayas through its Center for West Visayan Studies and the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies, alongside the Department of Trade and Industry, for the initiative.
The move brings together national government agencies, academic institutions, cultural organizations, and industry stakeholders, reflecting a unified commitment to preserving the heritage value, authenticity, and cultural identity embedded in Iloilo Batchoy.
“It is very important that we preserve and protect Batchoy as one of the strongest symbols of our Ilonggo identity and culinary heritage,” Treñas said.
According to Trenas, what was discussed during the meeting included the Geographical Indication and Certification Mark Strategy aimed at strengthening measures to better protect and promote the authentic Iloilo Batchoy.
The initiative also aims to establish a core coordinating body that will streamline collaboration among government offices, academic partners, local enterprises, and cultural advocates.
“The creation of a Core Group was also proposed together with a stronger partnership with stakeholders and academe to spread awareness and clarify their roles and contributions in this advocacy,” she added.
Treñas also called on stakeholders to “continue to work together to strengthen the pride of Ilonggos in our food, support local tourism and businesses, and ensure that the authentic Batchoy of Iloilo is preserved for future generations.”
The Iloilo City Government entered into a 25-year lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings, which invested approximately P3 billion in the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market to modernize the facilities, transforming them into clean, safe, and efficient commercial hubs.
The redeveloped markets now house around 2,000 stalls, providing improved facilities for vendors and a more comfortable and organized shopping experience for consumers.
The Iloilo Central Public Market operates from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the Iloilo Terminal Public Market is open from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The market redevelopment aligns with the local government’s “My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” campaign, which aims to showcase the city’s unique heritage and culture while fostering a strong emotional connection between residents and their city.
