ABOUT ILOILO
Iloilo’s rich and vibrant economy made history just before the outbreak of World War II.
Photo by Peter Jaena
THE GATEWAY TO COMMERCE
First opened in 1855, Iloilo’s international port was the country’s foremost gateway to international commerce. By the early 20th century the booming trade in manufactured goods had spilled over to other sectors in Iloilo’s economy particularly in agriculture, banking services, trading, shipping and port services, agri-based manufacturing and even aviation, making them attractive sectors for both foreign and local investors. New knowledge and technologies from Europe flowed into Iloilo as people and goods moved through its bustling ports. Population, employment and purchasing power surged, and retail outlets, schools and universities and recreational facilities like golf courses, movie houses and even a casino opened, catering to the growing ranks of the city’s new middle class.
Fully harnessed, Iloilo’s latent strengths will propel its economy back to the path that brought it so much glory in the past.
Photo by Jojie Alcantara
SUPPORT
Iloilo today is an agri-based, service-oriented economy where both the service and agriculture sectors complement each other. Agriculture generates the produce that supports the service sector comprised of trading, financing, and storage and distribution services. Exports are predominantly resource-based like sugar, seaweed, banana chips and marine products. Most of its trading activities are confined to the movement of agricultural and fishery products harvested from farms in areas surrounding the province. These are then brought to the city and shipped out through the port to other islands. The service sector in Iloilo City has another distinct role. In addition to lending support to agriculture and its local economy, it also serves the educational requirements of its local population. The City is one of the important seats of education in Visayas.
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