The Molo Plaza Outdoor Library, the city's second public open-air facility, was officially inaugurated by the Iloilo City Government.
Mayor Raisa Treñas led the proceedings, using the presence of her daughter, Thea, to personally highlight the value of early literacy. She passionately affirmed her belief that planting the seeds of reading in children while they are young is the key to naturally cultivating their lifelong love for literature.
“Kanami gid ini nga proyekto kay bal-an man naton, ang mga kabataan subong indi na mahilig magbasa. Pero kon may mga open spaces kita, may mobile library kita, diri naton matudluan ang mga kabataan paano magbasa,” she said.
Mayor Treñas also highlighted the spirit behind the project, noting that collaboration is key to its success. The new space was constructed through the skilled craftsmanship of the Technical Institute of Iloilo City and made possible by the generous support of private partners and donors.
According to Joseph Martin Salas-Daza, whose family helped put up the library, it is dedicated to Lucrecia Layson Segovia, former librarian of the US Information Services (USIS) Iloilo, and Dr. Salvador T. Salas, a former city councilor and an avid reader.
Molo District, once revered as the “Athens of the Philippines” for its legacy of renowned scholars and leaders, serves as a fitting location for this literacy initiative. The outdoor library stands beside the statue of pioneering Filipina suffragist and Ilongga Pura Villanueva Kalaw, further strengthening the district’s cultural and historical identity.
“It is our hope that more people, especially the youth, will come, visit, and read here, and discover a new world of books and learning,” Salas-Daza said. “Hopefully this little nook will become a contribution to a ‘city that reads.’”
To note, the first outdoor library stands at Plaza Libertad in the City Proper, which opened in June.
The outdoor libraries form part of the City Government’s continuing efforts to promote literacy, encourage love for reading among the youth, and bring educational resources closer to the community.