New generation leadership insights from Iloilo

I am in Iloilo City as of this writing, attending a two-day workshop organized by the Supreme Court on institutionalizing support for developmental and social change lawyering.

The night before the event, delegates from all over the country, mostly representing organizations identified with public interest and human rights legal services and advocacy, were welcomed with a dinner. In attendance were four justices of the Supreme Court, led by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, as well as local officials of Iloilo including City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.

First off, let me express my admiration for Iloilo City. It has been a long time since I was last here, and while I’ve always loved the city's great food, I now admire its livability even more, particularly its clean surroundings, beautiful green spaces, and its new business districts, which are well-designed with wide walkways and significantly less traffic.

I guess Iloilo City is fortunate to have leaders whose governance manifests in the city’s balanced progress so far. Here, they enjoy the modern conveniences of a city yet without the typical inconveniences. Being here feels like going back to when Cebu City was in its early boom years. Back then, we were dubbed one of the most livable cities in Asia and were not yet victims of our own ‘success’.

I wish Iloilo continued success and look forward to visiting again with more time on my hands. I hope the city can avoid the pitfalls that have marred Cebu’s development, such as failing to accurately project traffic volume and not planning or acting promptly on necessary road and mass transport infrastructure. Iloilo’s leaders can learn from Cebu's failures on the way to sustainable growth.

Speaking of leaders, US President Joe Biden spoke in an Oval Office address on Thursday about his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. He said that the best way to unite the nation is by handing over leadership to a younger generation.

President Biden belongs to the Silent Generation (Americans born between 1925 and 1945). In 2020, he saved America from Donald Trump, who belongs to the Baby Boomer generation, or those born between 1946 and 1964. Political correctness tells us that age should not be seen as a hindrance to any position of leadership; it can even be an advantage, given the wisdom that comes with age.

But Biden, in his humble wisdom, has called for a new generation of leaders. These leaders should have fresh ideas, innovative minds, and dynamic voices --those who can physically reach out, hop from one community to another, listen to their pleas, and see their plight.

In Cebu, for example, it’s time for relatively younger leaders in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to step up to the plate. A new generation of leaders does not necessarily have to be youthful in age and appearance, but I prefer them to be sprightly and physically up to the job. Most importantly, they should be mature, prepared, and tested. Indeed, there are younger leaders who are immature and untested. I still personally prefer leaders in their 40s to 60s, although there are exceptions.

Mayor Treñas of Iloilo City is in his 60s, while Iloilo Governor Defensor is still in his 50s. Based on what I have read and seen, they validate the various recognitions of them as among the top-performing local government leaders in the country. The implication is that these leaders are not resting on the laurels of their locality’s achievements but are “pushing forward with renewed vigor.”

When Mayor Treñas spoke about “harnessing the power of data analytics, smart city solutions, and digital platforms,” he said, “we are improving the quality of life for every Ilonggo.” In an Inquirer.net report by Cebu-based journalist Connie Fernandez-Brojan late last year, she wrote that Iloilo City has proven that “investments in people’s health and a strong public sector support are perfect ingredients for a post-pandemic economic recovery.” All programs of the city either involve or affect the city’s “welfare, health, education, environment, livelihood, and sustainability,” or what Treñas called “WHEELS” for sustainable development.

“It (the city) has to be a walkable city; Iloilo is walkable. It has to be bikeable; Iloilo is bikeable. All (public) places are within 15 minutes. We are (rehabilitating) all the plazas. We are doing all the markets,” Treñas told Fernandez-Brojan. I saw it for myself, and I will definitely visit this city again soon.