DUMAGUETE CITY — The 2025 Milo Marathon, the largest running event ever held in Dumaguete, concluded successfully over the weekend, marking another milestone in the city’s transformation under Mayor Felipe “Ipe” Remollo.

The event, which drew thousands of runners from across the country, was held at the newly developed Pantawan, a venue that once faced opposition from environmentalists but has since become a focal point for sports and tourism. It is one of several infrastructure projects initiated by Remollo, who has spent the past nine years reshaping Dumaguete into a modern and competitive city.

The mayor’s tenure has been defined by large-scale development projects, many of which were initially met with criticism but have since proven essential. Among them is the Looc Bypass Road, which significantly alleviated traffic congestion, and the Dumaguete-Sibulan Diversion Road, a long-delayed project that was finally completed after Remollo helped the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) navigate legal hurdles with landowners. His initiative to introduce setback parking zones around Quezon Park and other key locations has also improved traffic flow in the city.

Remollo’s track record in urban planning extends beyond Dumaguete. As a former president of the Clark Development Corporation, he oversaw the transformation of the former U.S. military base into a thriving economic hub and the country’s leading sports tourism destination. His leadership in Clark is now being replicated in Dumaguete, which last year was named the Top Emerging Sports Tourism Destination in the Philippines.

“The Milo Marathon is just the beginning,” Remollo said. “There is still a lot to be done.”

With his mayoral term ending, Remollo is shifting his focus to the 2nd Congressional District, where he hopes to implement an ambitious legislative agenda aimed at furthering economic and infrastructure development. Key among his proposals is the creation of a new economic zone tied to the construction of an international airport, which he envisions as a job-generating hub for Negros Oriental. He is also advocating for an economic highland highway that would link Dumaguete to Bacolod, boosting regional connectivity.

Following the marathon, Remollo met with former Bais Mayor Karen Villanueva, who is running for Board Member in the 2nd District. A veteran of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) with nationwide expertise in development funding, Villanueva is expected to complement Remollo’s vision by helping secure financial resources for infrastructure and social programs.

Should he win a congressional seat, Remollo said his goal is to translate his development blueprint into national policy, ensuring that the momentum Dumaguete has gained continues across the district.

“We have seen how investments in infrastructure and sports tourism can transform a city,” he said. “Now, it’s time to take that progress to the next level.” #TatakRemollo #MiloMarathon #Dumaguete