The challenges posed by urbanization cannot be underestimated. Despite the apparent advantages of urbanization, the accompanying issues must be properly addressed lest the benefits cannot be fully obtained or at worse, they can be diminished. Apparently, managing urban growth has been the concern of the country not only at the national level but at the local level as well. Thus, in addition to the challenges and opportunities brought about by decentralization in terms of resource mobilization and allocation and delivery of basic services, local government units are also facing more complicated pressures of urbanization. Various initiatives are undertaken as response to the many urbanization issues such as traffic congestion, solid waste management, pollution, and informal settlement to name a few. At the local level, more and more local government units are moving towards metropolitanization. It involves a highly urbanized city and adjacent towns entering into a collaborative partnership for effective and efficient delivery of urban services that cut across boundaries. These services include but are not limited to land use planning, solid waste management, traffic management, and water supply. As a highly urbanized city in the Western Visayas experiencing these issues, Iloilo City, along with its adjacent municipalities, has entered into this kind of local collaboration known as Metro Iloilo Development Council (MIDC). This paper aims to present the experience of MIDC in its pursuit for “a highly livable region of God-loving and educated people working together for a progressive, self-reliant and sustainable community.” It provides the socioeconomic development in Iloilo City, MIDC’s core city and delves into urbanization issues and responses of Iloilo City in terms of resource mobilization and allocation, and delivery of basic services. It also gives a background on the creation of MIDC and highlights the experience of MIDC in working together towards the attainment of its vision.