Iloilo Customs House (Aduana)

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The Iloilo Customs House, known locally as Aduana, stands on Muelle Loney Street beside the Iloilo River. Its long white facade, arcaded ground floor, rows of windows and central tower recall the port institutions that shaped the city’s commercial district. The Bureau of Customs continues to use the building, while the historic waterfront around it offers a starting point for a walk through Iloilo’s old business centre.

The Port of Iloilo opened to international trade under a Spanish decree on 29 September 1855. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also records an early commercial milestone: on 2 March 1859, the first shipment of sugar from the port, weighing 270 tonnes, left for Melbourne. The historical marker “Daungan ng Iloilo” stands near Sunburst Park and Muelle Loney, close to the customs house. These events connect Aduana with the growth of the river port and Iloilo’s commercial centre.

In February 2018, the Bureau of Customs announced the handover of the restored building after work connected with its historical recognition by the NHCP. The Philippine Maritime History Museum opened inside Aduana in January 2023. Its exhibits explore the country’s maritime links and port history; check the museum’s official page for current opening hours and visitor rules before going. The customs house is within walking distance of the waterfront and Sunburst Park, making it an easy stop on a walk through the historic district beside the river.