The districts of Iloilo City are the seven geographical and administrative districts (boroughs) that comprise Iloilo City, Philippines. These are Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo. All seven districts fall under the lone congressional district of Iloilo City and are further subdivided into barangays, totaling 180 barangays across the entire city.
Background
Arevalo was the first municipality in the area to be formally settled and established by the Spanish. It initially served as the capital of the province of Oton (now Iloilo province) before the seat of power was moved to a location near the mouth of the Iloilo River known as La Punta and later became Iloilo. The new capital gradually developed into a thriving business center and, by the 19th century, had emerged as a significant trading port. Iloilo gained cityhood on October 5, 1889, and as the city expanded, nearby municipalities were considered for incorporation.
Jaro officially became a city in 1891. In 1903, Jaro (including Leganes), La Paz, Mandurriao, and Molo were merged with the city of Iloilo. Pavia was also incorporated into Iloilo in 1905, but on February 15, 1908, both Jaro and Pavia were separated from Iloilo, with Pavia being re-established as part of Jaro. La Paz also regained its autonomy in 1920.
On July 16, 1937, Iloilo officially entered a new Commonwealth charter, which was formally inaugurated on August 25, 1937, resulting in a territorial expansion where the surrounding municipalities of Arevalo, La Paz, Mandurriao, and Molo were consolidated into the city. Jaro, following the separation of Leganes and Pavia in the 1920s, was formally absorbed into Iloilo City on January 16, 1941.
On December 17, 2008, Lapuz, which had been a sub-district of La Paz since the Spanish colonial period, was officially separated and recognized as Iloilo City’s seventh and newest district. For several years prior to its formal separation, Lapuz had already functioned as a de facto district, even having its own district president, similar to the other districts of the city.City to recognize Lapuz as separate district from La Paz. Thenewstoday.info (December 22, 2008). Retrieved on November 7, 2011.
Description and list of barangays Iloilo City has a total of 180 barangays throughout its seven districts.
Iloilo City Proper City Proper is the second-most densely populated district and is considered the heart of Iloilo City. It serves as the civic center, housing the offices of both the city and provincial governments, as well as various local and regional government agencies for the Western Visayas. For much of Iloilo's history, economic activity was centered in this district. However, in recent years, development has gradually shifted toward Mandurriao and Jaro, mainly due to limited space for new infrastructure in the old downtown area.
The district is also known for its well-preserved commercial buildings from the late 19th to early 20th century, such as the Eusebio Villanueva Building, Javellana Building, and the Aduana Building, which can be found along many of its historic streets.
City Proper has the most barangays among all the districts, with a total of 45, and has a population density of around 13,000 people per square kilometer, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the city. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Arsenal Aduana 177 Baybay Tanza 2,108 Bonifacio Tanza 2,916 Concepcion-Montes 2,455 Danao 305 Delgado-Jalandoni-Bagumbayan 209 Edganzon 383 Flores 143 General Hughes-Montes 1,943 Gloria 149 Hipodromo 683 Inday 308 Jalandoni-Wilson 799 Kahirupan 456 Kauswagan 354 Legaspi dela Rama 635 Liberation 315 Mabolo-Delgado 1,130 Magsaysay 337 Malipayon-Delgado 785 Maria Clara 589 Monica Blumentritt 1,380 Muelle Loney-Montes 1,109 Nonoy 404 Ortiz 1,281 Osmeña 111 President Roxas 179 Rima-Rizal 623 Rizal Estanzuela 3,351 Rizal Ibarra 534 Rizal Palapala I 1,620 Rizal Palapala II 2,245 Roxas Village 43 Sampaguita 410 San Agustin 687 San Felix 1,033 San Jose 382 Santo Rosario-Duran 1,665 Tanza-Esperanza 1,733 Timawa Tanza I 461 Timawa Tanza II 1,564 Veterans Village 5,396 Villa Anita 906 Yulo-Arroyo 158 Zamora-Melliza 2,777 Iloilo City Proper 47,231 3.75 1.45 13,000 33,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority – Philippine Standard Geographic Code – Iloilo City – Barangays La Paz
La Paz is the third-largest district in Iloilo City by land area. It is known as the birthplace of the Filipino noodle soup dish, La Paz Batchoy. The La Paz Plaza is the largest public plaza in the city. It is home to several educational institutions, including West Visayas State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Western Institute of Technology, St. Therese – MTC Colleges, and Hua Siong College of Iloilo (Satellite Campus).
La Paz has a total of 25 barangays. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Aguinaldo 1,523 Baldoza 6,255 Bantud 575 Banuyao 1,489 Burgos-Mabini-Plaza 1,763 Caingin 4,695 Divinagracia 998 Gustilo 2,510 Hinactacan 737 Ingore 4,640 Jereos 3,672 Laguda 318 Lopez Jaena Norte 1,879 Lopez Jaena Sur 2,242 Luna 578 MacArthur 640 Magdalo 984 Magsaysay Village 1,183 Nabitasan 3,574 Railway 1,334 Rizal 1,978 San Isidro 4,363 San Nicolas 1,212 Tabuc Suba 4,650 Ticud 4,306 District of La Paz 58,098 11.33 4.37 5,100 13,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays
Jaro
Jaro is the largest and most populous district of Iloilo City, accounting for 35% of the city's total land area and 29% of its population. It is considered the center of faith in Western Visayas, being home to the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro, which covers Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.
As a former city with a significant Spanish Filipino population, Jaro features many old mansions and heritage houses, such as the Lopez Mansion, Lizares Mansion, Ledesma Mansion, and Casa Mariquit. It is also home to Central Philippine University, the first university in Western Visayas to be ranked among Asia’s and the world’s best universities by Quacquarelli Symonds.
The district of Jaro has a total of 42 barangays. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Arguelles 688 Balabago 10,441 Balantang 4,762 Benedicto 2,954 Bito-on 7,026 Buhang 3,930 Buntatala 4,558 Calubihan 925 Camalig 2,679 Claudio Castilla El-98 116 Cuartero 2,160 Cubay 7,004 Democracia 1,373 Desamparados 423 Dungon A 1,120 Dungon B 3,076 Fajardo 1,205 Javellana 545 Lanit 8,346 Libertad Santa Isabel 346 Lopez Jaena 713 Luna 193 M.H. del Pilar 3,896 M.V. Hechanova 4,182 Ma. Cristina 673 Montinola 829 Our Lady of Fatima 1,630 Our Lady of Lourdes 2,567 Quintin Salas 5,267 Sambag 5,876 San Isidro 12,603 San Jose 398 San Pedro 1,147 San Roque 1,567 San Vicente 1,056 Seminario 294 Simon Ledesma 2,220 Tabuc Suba 10,933 Tacas 6,892 Tagbac 5,329 Taytay Zone II 1,009 Ungka 3,323 District of Jaro 136,274 27.48 10.61 5,000 13,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority – Philippine Standard Geographic Code – Iloilo City – Barangays
Molo Molo is the most densely populated district in Iloilo City, with a population density of 14,000 people per square kilometer, and is the second-most populated district overall. It is known for the gothic-renaissance Molo Church and several heritage houses, including the Yusay-Consing Mansion, popularly known as the Molo Mansion.
The district is the origin of Pancit Molo, a pork dumpling soup made with wonton wrappers. Historically, Molo was recognized as the Chinese district of Iloilo, where many Chinese Filipino residents lived. It is also referred to as the "Athens of the Philippines" for being the birthplace of several prominent Filipino philosophers and political leaders.
Molo is composed of 25 barangays. The barangay of Calumpang is the most populous in Iloilo City, with a population of 15,568 (2024 census). BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Calumpang 15,568 Cochero 806 Compania 3,312 East Baluarte 1,819 East Timawa 775 Habog-Habog Salvacion 2,193 Infante 1,726 Kasingkasing 2,365 Katilingban 927 Molo Boulevard 8,357 North Avanceña 594 North Baluarte 4,907 North Fundidor 2,907 North San Jose 1,179 Poblacion 736 San Antonio 2,477 San Juan 11,091 San Pedro 3,230 South Baluarte 1,524 South Fundidor 3,319 South San Jose 1,811 Taal 1,425 Tap-oc 380 West Habog-Habog 1,314 West Timawa 2,051 District of Molo 76,793 5.54 2.14 14,000 36,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays
Mandurriao
Mandurriao is the second-largest district in Iloilo City by land area and the third-most populous. It is known for its modern, large-scale mixed-use developments, such as Iloilo Business Park, Atria Park District, SM Iloilo Complex, and Smallville Business Complex, where many of the city’s high-rise buildings are located. The district is also home to numerous upscale restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, condominiums, and business process outsourcing (BPO) offices. It houses SM City Iloilo, the largest mall in the city.
Mandurriao is divided into 18 barangays. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Abeto Mirasol Taft South (Quirino Abeto) 2,068 Airport (Tabucan Airport) 5,190 Bakhaw 6,107 Bolilao 6,365 Buhang Taft North 2,236 Calahunan 5,659 Dungon 3,865 Guzman-Jesena 5,641 Hibao-an Norte 2,167 Hibao-an Sur 5,281 Navais 4,725 Oñate de Leon 5,092 Pale Benedicto Rizal 3,151 PHHC Block 17 1,787 PHHC Block 22 NHA1,369 San Rafael 2,424 Santa Rosa 1,001 Tabucan 2,336 District of Mandurriao 66,464 13.78 5.32 4,800 12,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority – Philippine Standard Geographic Code – Iloilo City – Barangays
Villa de Arevalo Arevalo is the westernmost and farthest district from Iloilo City Proper. It is well-known for its seafood restaurants along the shores of Villa Beach, which annually hosts the Paraw Regatta Festival. The district’s parish, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Arevalo, houses the Santo Niño de Arévalo, the third-oldest Santo Niño figure in the Philippines. Arevalo is also home to the Camiña Balay nga Bato, a heritage house and restaurant built in 1865.
The district of Arevalo is composed of 13 barangays. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Bonifacio 2,023 Calaparan 9,242 Dulonan 4,849 Mohon 1,320 Quezon 1,742 San José 2,218 Santa Cruz 4,019 Santa Filomina 2,823 Santo Domingo 2,494 Santo Niño Norte 4,342 Santo Niño Sur 9,266 Sooc 8,877 Yulo Drive 4,050 District of Arevalo 57,265 7.58 2.93 7,600 20,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays
Lapuz Lapuz is the smallest district in Iloilo City in terms of land area and population. It is considered the gateway to the city, as it is home to key transport hubs including the Iloilo International Port, the Iloilo Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) Port, and the Iloilo Fastcraft Terminal.
The district of Lapuz is composed of 12 barangays. BarangaysPopulation (2024)AreaDensity Alalasan 2,893 Bo. Obrero 6,892 Don Esteban 3,501 Jalandoni Estate 1,847 Lapuz Norte 2,570 Lapuz Sur 1,468 Libertad 780 Loboc 2,564 Mansaya 3,374 Progreso 1,310 Punong 1,514 Sinikway 2,890 District of Lapuz 31,603 3.25 1.25 9,700 25,000Source: Philippine Statistics Authority - Philippine Standard Geographic Code - Iloilo City - Barangays References