Iloilo City is set to revolutionize its urban sports infrastructure with the groundbreaking La Paz Plaza Football Ground Lighting Project, a collaborative effort between the Iloilo City Government and Global Business Power (GBP) that promises to elevate local sports development.
The project is 75% complete and on track for an October 7 launch. It will feature 40 international-standard football lights imported from China, making it the first of its kind in the city.
Mayor Raisa Treñas expressed her appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Global Business Power.
“I would like to thank Global Business Power for this partnership. As we all know, they’ve been helping the city government with projects like this, especially in La Paz,” Treñas said.
The lady mayor also emphasized the importance of placemaking.
“We’re trying to develop each of our plaza to have its own identity.”
“It is important to give a proper branding per plaza. That’s why we’re trying to develop each of our plaza to have its own identity. Like example, how do we encourage our tourists to visit if they see it’s still the same plaza,” she said.
Treñas noted that sports events attract entire families, potentially boosting local tourism and economic activity. She also highlighted the role of open spaces in nurturing young talent.
“Last time, we have private and public schools who are practicing there in the afternoon… It’s so nice to see kids in the plaza in the afternoon. This is our direction – to give us space for our kids to do sports and to have open spaces,” she added.
The project is part of a broader plan to transform La Paz Plaza into a multi-purpose sports hub. Already, the plaza boasts a rehabilitated tennis court, a butterfly garden, and a koi pond, with plans for future developments including a district library.
GBP representatives, including Antonio Cabalhug Jr., FVP for Panay Site of Meralco PowerGen (MGen) and Community Relations Officer Michael Guanco, emphasized their commitment to community development.
“We are very supportive of the projects of the mayor, because we saw and we see the importance of developing our family through sports.”
“For us, having committed to Iloilo City and especially to our host area in La Paz, this is one way of paying forward and giving back to the people that we serve. We are very supportive of the projects of the mayor, because we saw and we see the importance of developing our family through sports,” Cabalhug said.
Guanco shared technical updates on the lighting system.
“We plan to test and commission this on September 26. Hopefully, we will have good weather. This will be the first among LGUs that a football field located in a plaza is lighted, which is acceptable to international football standards,” he said.
The official turnover ceremony is scheduled for October 7, coinciding with the mayor’s 100th day in office, promising to be a celebration of community, sports, and urban innovation.
