ILOILO CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday joined the local government here in recognizing the city’s top taxpayers.

“I congratulate your city on its 85th Charter Day. The city has truly gone a long way from being a significant part of our national history to being one of the major economic hubs in Western Visayas, as well as a delightful gastronomic and tourism spot for our local and foreign travellers,” Duterte told local officials, taxpayers and guests in the recognition event.

Duterte thanked the local government for the efforts to sustain the ties between the business community even with the economic challenges and losses due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the city recognizes its top taxpayers, let me thank both the local government and the business sector for staying strong and continue working together amidst the pandemic to ensure that your constituents have the best of their interests put forward in terms of safety, overall access to health, access to vaccines, and access to support and opportunities for recovery from the setbacks brought about by the pandemic,” she said.

“We hope this continues and grows stronger through the years as the city strategically positions itself to be one of the gateways for greater development of agri-eco tourism, industrial hubs, and Smart City centers in Western Visayas,” she added.

Duterte also expressed support to the city’s strong partnerships with investors, and hopes these ties would create more opportunities that would contribute to the city’s holistic development.

“Kaisa kami sa hangarin ninyo sa patuloy na pag-unlad at pagbabago. Nawa’y ipagpatuloy natin ang mga magandang nasimulan. As every businessman knows, continuity is essential to stability, both in your businesses and in the overall economic progress of the city,” she said.

Duterte also acknowledged Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas for his recent feat in the field of education.

“Further, let me congratulate Mayor Jerry P. Treñas for being recognized as an education champion in the 1st Gawad Edukampyon Awards Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - Highly Urbanized City Category held in Quezon City on June 3, 2022,” she said.

The recognition of the city’s top taxpayers is part of its 85th Charter Day celebration.

OVP MEDIA