ILOILO CITY
— Iloilo City strengthened its commitment to accessible education with the
official opening of the Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla Learning Center on
February 3 at La Paz Plaza, marking the city’s 16th learning hub dedicated to
bringing knowledge and community services closer to Ilonggos.
The
inauguration gathered local officials, residents, and members of Justice
Jaranilla’s family, who traveled back to the Philippines to witness the tribute
to their patriarch. The ceremony began with blessings led by Fr. Bernabe Tutana
Jr., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and commemorative program honoring
the life and legacy of the distinguished Ilonggo jurist.
Mayor Raisa
S. Treñas was represented by Councilor Miguel Treñas, who emphasized during the
ceremony that education must remain accessible to all, noting that learning
centers like this help unlock the potential of future leaders and even future
justices.
The event
also featured tributes from Jaranilla’s descendants, including Rose Marie Yenko
and her daughter Kat Gomez-Limchoc, who shared personal reflections on his life
after World War II. Adding historical context, World War II historian Dr.
Ricardo Trota Jose discussed Justice Jaranilla’s significant role in the
International Military Tribunal for the Far East, commonly known as the Tokyo
Trials.
The newly
opened two-storey facility spans 1,110 square meters and serves not only as a
district library but also as a shared community hub. It houses the Office of
the Association of Barangay Captains–La Paz, the City Social Welfare and
Development Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and a
youth center. Multi-purpose halls, public toilets, and a cistern system are
also included, providing functional spaces for community programs and
engagements.
Constructed
through combined funding sources totaling P50.9 million, the learning center
reflects the city government’s continued investment in education and social
services under the Rising Social Services pillar of Mayor Treñas’ RISE to
ACTION governance agenda.
In her
message, Mayor Treñas highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of
reading and learning among Ilonggos, especially in an age shaped by rapid
technological changes.
“Libraries
are more important than ever. While technology offers many benefits, it also
poses challenges to the learning and holistic growth of our children,” she
said. “Reading should be accessible, welcoming, kag kabahin sang adlaw-adlaw
nga kabuhi sang kada Ilonggo.”
The La Paz
center joins Iloilo City’s expanding network of learning facilities, which now
includes three Early Childhood Care and Development Centers, three outdoor
libraries, and ten reading centers across the city.
The center
is named in honor of Justice Delfin J. Jaranilla, a proud son of La Paz born in
Jereos on December 24, 1883. He was among the First Hundred Pensionados sent to
the United States in 1903 and later earned his Civil Law degree from Georgetown
University. Rising through government service, he endured imprisonment during
World War II, survived the Bataan Death March, and later represented the
Philippines in the Tokyo Trials before retiring from public service, leaving a
legacy of resilience, justice, and integrity.
Mayor
Treñas encouraged young Ilonggos to draw inspiration from Jaranilla’s life and
to make full use of the learning center’s facilities and programs to pursue
their dreams.
With
another community learning hub now open, Iloilo City continues to bring
education and opportunity closer to every Ilonggo household.