City to focus on Iloilo River development

Monday, January 9, 2012

WHILE all road infrastructure projects are ongoing, the City Government of Iloilo will now start its focus on the development of the Iloilo River, City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said.
  
Mabilog said the Iloilo River will be the focus of the First International River Summit to be held in the city on March 19-22.

Participants in the summit include scientists, river advocates and development partners from national and international organizations and places who see the river as the lifeblood of the area.
 
Mabilog said the project will also include the island province of Guimaras as the beach area for development; and the Guimaras Iloilo Ferry Terminal project is expected to be realized this year through a public-private partnership.
 
Construction is ongoing at the P70-million esplanade project at the Treñas Boulevard along the Iloilo River with the widening of the 1.2-kilometer boulevard and the construction of river view deck and other structures of the esplanade.
 
Thousands of informal settlers along the riverbanks and creek tributaries are being resettled in the city’s relocation sites with housing funds of some P344 million, according to Mabilog.
  
Meanwhile, dredging of the river is ongoing conducted by Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways. All these developments will require additional manpower and work for the Ilonggos, Mabilog said.
 
Batiano River will also be cleaned and rehabilitated to clear illegal structures and informal settlers in the area.

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