On September 3, 1931, it was convened and unanimously decided on the final site of the building ((Souvenir Handbook of City Hall Inauguration 1936, 60k) as cited in (Madrid, Historical Documentation of the UPV Main Building, 2008)). It took a year before it was implemented. …show more content…
This is the written description of Henry Madrid on his book Historical Documentation of the UPV Main Building (2008) based on the sketch of Juan Arellano and the recorded description of Salvador Delgado regarding the building and the explanation of the intention of Arellano on creating the structure. This also describes the artistic style and purposes of features in the building. He illustrates here the offices that have occupied the first ones and the changes on its names.
“The architectural design of the building was unique by its builders. It was a composite of neo-classical and revivalist influences through Art Deco and nativist elements were also predominating. It was basically single-story structure with two big patios and a wide court at the main entrance. Its exterior, especially the great outside lines, put emphasis on its compactness and complete dominance of its environ. On the other hand, space ventilation and lighting were given importance in its interior as represented by the large floor area and enough provisions for rooms that functioned as vital offices. A dome/copula with commanding tower topped the whole imposing view (Delgado 1936, …show more content…
They were spacious and private rooms with modern look comfort rooms or toilet (Ibid).”
During the Commonwealth period, Iloilo City/Municipal Hall was acknowledged as the largest building in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Mayor Maximo Jalandoni vacated the city hall when the Japanese troops occupied the Iloilo City on April 18, 1942. The Japanese converted the building into a garrison. It took almost three (3) years before the Japanese vacated the area.
Mariano Benedicto was appointed by virtue of RA 365 or Commonwealth Act No. 158 as the mayor of the city in 1945 after the war (Iloilo City Socio-Economic Profile 2013). He surveyed the area and found that the building was surrounded by scraps of high cogon. The pre-war tennis court was also hopelessly destructed and definitely needed