THE city of Iloilo eyes integrating ‘green’ practices to leverage itself as an attractive destination for meetings, conferences and exhibitions, it said on Monday.

The Green Meets Great  program of the local government of Iloilo City is included in its outlook for 2025.

It forms part of its goal to be the first city to integrate ‘green’ practices for visitors engaged in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).

“Aside from festivals, our MICE-related events have influenced the steady stream of visitors,” Maria Lea Victoria E. Lara, director of the Iloilo City MICE office, said in a statement.

“Our facilities and accessible gateways have attracted MICE visitors from all over the country and the world.”

The city’s ‘green’ MICE initiatives include the accreditation of solar panel and energy saver establishments, government buildings, and accommodations.

It also covers its bikeable city plan, incentives for renewable energy adoption, and waste management protocols especially for streets and parks.

Other efforts aimed at creating a sustainable environment in the city include paperless registrations and bookkeeping, cashless transactions, smoking ban, and the prohibition of styrofoam and plastics in events.

The Green Meets Great program was presented to Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo P. Treñas on Oct. 22 in Makati City. It is in line with the city’s aim to become the “Philippines’ first green MICE destination.”

In 2023, Iloilo City generated a total of P8.29 billion tourism receipts, with the number of visitors increasing to 886,283 from 752,301 a year prior.

It boasts over 4,000 rooms in 47 hotels, 54 cultural sites, five major shopping malls, and one convention center. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

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