Iloilo city: The local government, in collaboration with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), has officially launched the 'Meet You in Iloilo' project. The initiative was set in motion with the signing of a memorandum of agreement aimed at positioning Iloilo City as a key player in the Southeast Asian Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was signed by Mayor Raisa Tre±as and TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid. The ceremony was also attended by TIEZA chief of staff King Bauyon, MICE Alliance Iloilo chair Natalie Lim, former Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. chair Allan Ryan Tan, Executive Assistant Leny Ledesma, and MICE Center Iloilo Director Maria Victoria Lara.

The five-year project involves a commitment from TIEZA to allocate PHP17.6 million towards initiatives designed to enhance Iloilo's competitiveness as a MICE destination. This includes support for hosting local and international conventions, capacity-building efforts for stakeholders, marketing campaigns, facility upgrades, and networking events aimed at attracting investors and organizers to the city.

Mayor Tre±as highlighted the importance of the project, stating, "This project is a very significant milestone for our MICE here in Iloilo City. And we want to thank TIEZA for this partnership. Last year, more than 150 MICE conventions and events happened in the Iloilo Convention Center, and we want to sustain and improve those events. That's why this partnership is very important for us."

TIEZA's chief operating officer, Mark Lapid, also emphasized their readiness to support the city beyond the MICE sector. "Anything that we can help support the local stakeholders, including the city government, the LGU, TIEZA is very much willing to help," said Lapid, noting additional programs such as the development of plazas and the rehabilitation of the Museo de Iloilo.