In response to rising temperatures, Iloilo City has launched multiple Cooling Hubs across the city. These hubs, inaugurated on May 6, 2026, serve as temporary shelters for residents seeking relief from the heat.
Equipped with water dispensers, the hubs allow visitors to hydrate while they rest. Health personnel from the Iloilo City Health Office are also on hand to provide blood pressure checkups.
Visitors must register and undergo a brief assessment before enjoying the facilities. Each hub can accommodate up to 20 people at a time, operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The new Cooling Hubs are strategically located along Diversion Road in Mandurriao, near Jalandoni Bridge in Iloilo City Proper, and a third hub at Plazoleta Gay.
This is a small and simple initiative, our purpose in caring, complete and honest for the Ilonggo people.
Mayor Raisa Treñas
Mayor Treñas emphasized that these hubs reflect the city's commitment to its citizens. She is also engaging with private businesses interested in establishing their own cooling spaces.
Built with sustainability in mind, the Cooling Hubs feature solar panels and air conditioning units, utilizing refurbished materials and eco boards made from recycled plastics.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address climate change concerns. Similar cooling solutions have been implemented in other regions, including the Light Rail Transit 2 stations in Metro Manila.
Experts advocate for both cooling hubs and passive cooling techniques to mitigate the effects of increasing heat, urging the inclusion of strategic vegetation and reflective materials in urban planning.