View of the Iloilo Airport during arrival

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Aerial view of the Iloilo Airport

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Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals”, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

The capital city of the province of Iloilo is the City of Iloilo, which is also one of the major urban centers in the Philippines. Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, it is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and an airport of international standards. Iloilo also serves as the gateway to the region and a  favorite stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay, Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Sandbar Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar as its backdrop

The New Iloilo Airport is of International Standards and is one of the most advanced and best looking airports in the Country.

By Air – airlines at the Iloilo Airport

Air Philippines

Office in Iloilo City: General Luna St., City Proper (Near Tijuana Restaurant and Bar)
Contact No.: (+63)(33)3208048 / (+63)(33)3208049 / (+63)(33)5085513

Cebu Pacific

Office in Iloilo City: SM City Iloilo, Diversion Road, Mandurriao District
Contact No.: (+63)(33)3208017 / (+63)(33)3206889 / (+63)(33)3206582 / (+63)(33)3294660

Philippine Airlines

Office in Iloilo City: Diversion Road, Mandurriao District (Beside SM City)
Contact No.: (+63)(33)3203030 / (+63)(33)3203131 / (+63)(33)3207151

Zest Air

Office in Iloilo City: Martmart Mall and the New Iloilo Airport
Contact No.: Mobile: (+63)9178911049 / (+63)9173051038

How to get to and from the Iloilo Airport:

There is a shuttle service to and from the airport with the drop-off and pick-up points at SM City Iloilo.
There are also taxis, which can be hired to take you to any point in Iloilo/Panay or to the Airport if you’re from the City.

By Sea

By boat, it takes 20 hours at most from Iloilo to Manila. From Zamboanga, 16 hours; Cagayan de Oro, 14 hours; Cebu, 12 hours. Bacolod City is a one-hour trip many times daily. To Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, it takes 38 hours, three times a month. Iloilo can also be reached by Roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessels via through President Arroyo’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

Shipping Lines in Iloilo City:

• Negros Navigation
  Destinations: Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis, Iligan, Zamboanga
  Office in Iloilo: Muelle Loney St., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(033)3379882/ (+63)(033)3379759 / (+63)(033)3203430
  Website: www.negrosnavigation.ph
• Cokaliong
  Destinations: Cebu
  Office in Iloilo: Cor. De la Rama, Muelle Loney St., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(033)3363322 / (+63)(033)3361122
  Website: http://www.cokaliongshipping.com/
• W G & A Superferry
  Destinations: Manila, General Santos, Davao, Ozamis, Zamboanga, Cotabao, Cagayan de Oro
  Office in Iloilo: De la Rama & Melliza Sts., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(033)3372567 / (+63)(033)3350375
  Website: http://www.superferry.com.ph/

Iloilo River Wharf or popularly called “Muelle Loney”

Fastcrafts operated by the Phil. Fast Ferry Corp., Weesam Express, Bullet Express, and Royal Ferry Services serve the connection between Iloilo and Bacolod City on a daily basis.

Fastcrafts servicing the Iloilo – Bacolod route at Muelle Loney

Fastcrafts and RORO vessels servicing the Iloilo City – Bacolod Route:

• Bullet Express Corp
  Office in Iloilo: Domescon Bldg., Muelle Loney St., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(033)3380618 / (+63)(033)3380619 / (+63)(033)3380620
• Weesam Express
  Office in Iloilo: Muelle Loney St., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(033)3351572/ (+63)(033)3373282
• Montenegro Shipping (RORO)
  Office in Iloilo: Muelle Loney St., Iloilo City
  Contact No.: (+63)(034)7081322 (Bacolod)

RO-RO vessels at the Dumangas Port

There are also daily RO-RO vessels plying the Dumangas-Bacolod route. Dumangas, is a coastal town approx 30 minutes from Iloilo City. The Dumangas port can be accessed from Iloilo City by van at La Granja Terminal, in La Paz District.

It also takes less than 20 min. by pumpboat or 30 min. by ferry ride or RO-RO from Guimaras Island. Terminals to and from Guimaras from the City is at Parola Port (at the Mouth of the Iloilo River), Muelle Loney (Iloilo River Wharf), and Ortiz Port (Ortiz St., City Proper).

By Land

Iloilo is also accessible by land transportation to and from Aklan, Capiz, and Antique. it takes at most 3 hours to reach Iloilo from Kalibo in Aklan, Roxas City in Roxas, or San Jose in Antique.How to Get to Iloilo

The busy City of Iloilo with the Island of Guimaras off its Coast.

Iloilo has always been one of the country’s most important provinces. Merchants from China and India have long traded with the Ilonggos even before the Spaniards came; evidences of this flourishing civilization are displayed in Museums and Private Galleries.

Museo Iloilo serves as a repository of Iloilo’s cultural heritage.

Even during the Spanish and American colonial period, Iloilo still proved to be an important trading post. Iloilo has a beautiful harbor with serene and calm waters, safe for navigation because it is protected from the open sea by scenic Guimaras Island. This excellent port facility made Iloilo the center of trade at the turn of the century, with the whole world doing business in this port especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. In fact, Iloilo was given the title of “Queen City of the South” for being the Philippine’s second city, after Manila.

You can still see the old buildings that surprisingly are European and American inspired such as stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, and heritage commercial buildings.

The Iloilo Customs House watches over Iloilo’s River Wharf. The building is a remnant of Iloilo’s glorious past

The Miagao Church is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals“, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival, together with smaller but similarly riveting festivities in the province, blends the pagan and the Christian in a street dance masquerade honoring Sto. Nino.

The famous Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th week of January

Iloilo is endowed with natural wonders. Highland attractions from the cascades and waterfalls of the mountains of Iloilo to rice terraces and heights in its hinderlands. Worth visiting are various islands and islets of Iloilo that abound with white sand beaches and ornamented with tropical palms. Experience breezy fun while on an island hopping getaway. Explorations in Iloilo’s northern coast such as the myterious caves of Gigantes island and the sea charms of Sicogon and nearby islets, as well as the splendid silhouette of Pan de Azucar in Concepcion town herald quaint stories and enchanting folklores.

Agho Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar in the background

Rice terraces and lush mountains of Bucari, Leon

Iloilo takes pride in being the Food basket and Rice Granary of the Region owing to its fertile lands and seas that yield plentiful harvest. Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are considered the main source of livelihood in the southern and northern Iloilo. Tourists will find many restaurants offering a gastronomic treat of fresh sea foods and famous Ilonggo dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.

The La Paz Batchoy, which originated from La Paz District of Iloilo City, is an Ilonggo dish that has achieved nation-wide popularity.

Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, Iloilo is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and New Airport of International standards. Tourists will find sprawling malls scattered across the city wherein they can replenish supplies as well as their energies for the hectic sand-and-water environment that are soon to follow. Hotels and restaurants abound; a world-class golf course is located just outside the city proper in Sta. Barbara.

Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, and Coffee Shops line “Smallville“, Iloilo’s most popular night spot

The Santa Barbara Golf Course located 30 minutes from the city is the oldest Golf Course in South East Asia

Iloilo serves as the gateway to the region. It is a stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Iloilo boasts of a new airport, considered as one of the most beautiful and modern in the country

Ilonggos travel daily to Guimaras as if it was next door, and so with Guimarasnons to Iloilo. The trip across the strait taken only 15 minutes on a smooth sailing pumpboat, or 25 minutes by barge if you are bringing your vehicle.

Guimaras is a popular weekend destination because of its white sand beaches, tranquil waters, and peaceful countrysides

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. They are known for their charm and sweetness that comes from the musical tonation of their dialect, Hiligaynon. You would not be able to tell if an Ilonggo is mad at you by the way they speak, which always sounds like some one crooning a love song to you. Kiniray-a, which is a dialect very similar to Hiligaynon is used in Iloilo’s countrysides. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in urban areas.

A nightshot of General Luna St., one of Iloilo’s major roads

Metro Iloilo-Guimaras or MIG is a metropolitan area encompassing the highly urbanized city of Iloilo City, nearby towns, island of Guimaras. Guimaras Province assumes the role of agri-eco-tourism center; Pavia as the agro-industrial center, Leganes as the center for light industries, San Miguel as the agricultural basket, Oton as the dormitory and Sta. Barbara as the international air travel gateway. Iloilo City will remain as the residential, financial, commercial, governance and educational hub not only for Guimaras Island and the five satellite municipalities but also for the entire Region VI.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

Source: Department of Tourism – Western Visayas, Wikipedia, Iloilo Province Official Website, Iloilo City Official Website
Iloilo Province Brochure by Bombette Marin, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer.

The first branch of Carlitos Restaurant is located in Pavia town along the highway to the new Iloilo Airport. It is a popular stopover for passengers of the Iloilo Airport because of its yummy food and Biscocho Haus pasalubong shop. Its beautiful and elegant architecture has also become a landmark of Pavia.

One of the most exciting parts of the forum was a list of proposed major investments in Iloilo outlined in the “Tourism Investment Opportunities in Iloilo and Guimaras” report presented by Ms. Narzalina Lim, President of  Asia Pacific Projects, Inc. Here are some of the investments mentioned in the report:

Kapideco Estate

Kapideco (Kauturan Pison Development Corp.) estate is a master planned mixed-use development currently being developed in the large area that was once salt beds and fish ponds in Brgy. Tabucan and San Rafael in Mandurriao. It is very accessible to Diversion Road and is located in between big commercial developments – Smallville Complex and SM City Iloilo. The whole area from Kapideco to the Old Airport Strip (Megaworld Site) is envisioned to be Iloilo City’s next Central Business District. KAPIDECO is also the home of Ateneo de Iloilo’s new campus, which is already near completion.

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