Iloilo River

Development Project

Presented by:

Jed Patrick E. Mabilog City Mayor, Iloilo City

Finals of the 2010 LivCom Awards

Hilton Hotel, Chicago, USA, Nov. 4-8, 2010

Iloilo River

Iloilo City

Central Philippines

Iloilo River

IRONG-IRONG - One of the

territories in the island acquired

by Bornean Chieftains from a

local “ATI” Chieftain through

barter

“IRONG-IRONG” RIVER – Site

of Pre-Spanish settlement

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Iloilo River

VILLAGE OF “IRONG-IRONG”

(Now Iloilo City) - seat of Spanish

influence in the Island during the

Spanish era.

ILOILO RIVER - host of the

galleon trade from Visayas to

Moluccas

ILOILO PORT - the rapid

economic growth of the place led

to the opening of the port in Iloilo

River to the World Trade, 1855

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Iloilo River

TODAY

• 35 villages (out of 180) are

found along the river

• No less than 53,000 people

living along the river banks

• Land Use – combination of

residential, commercial,

institutional, open space,

fishpond, transport facility

and mangrove areas

• An estuarine, 15 km long

• Maintains high level of

productive biological

activities

• Serves as habitat and

nursery of many important

fish species

ATTRIBUTES

Iloilo River

Iloilo River

• Supports the growth of 22

mangrove species out of 35

national species

• Home of the rare plant and

animal species

1. Sonneratia ovata (mangrove) – rare in the region

2. metapenaues insolitus (shrimp) - rare in the country

ATTRIBUTES

Iloilo River

• Heritage site - home to 19

heritage structures

• Site of the world renown

“Dinagyang” Festival

ATTRIBUTES

Iloilo River

• Fishing

• Fishpond Cultivation

• Salt Production

• Spawning Area of Important

Fish Species

RESOURCE UTILIZATION

Iloilo River

• Transportation

• Port Facilities

• Research & Education

• Recreation

RESOURCE UTILIZATION

Iloilo River

1. Water Pollution

Causes • Untreated wastewater from

121 of 180 villages

• Untreated wastewater from

hotels and hospitals

• Substandard septic tank

design, no regular

maintenance

• Presence of solid waste

ISSUES

Iloilo River

1. Water Pollution

Impacts • Poor water quality - low

dissolved oxygen has been

observed for the past 5 years

• Waterborne diseases,

particularly among children

• Threats to aquatic life – fish

kill

ISSUES

Iloilo River

2. Reduction of Mangrove Areas

Causes • Infrastructure development

• Conversion of mangrove

areas to:

1. Business and residential

areas

2. Fishpond

• Illegal cutting

ISSUES

Iloilo River

2. Reduction of Mangrove Areas

Impacts • Destruction of spawning

areas

• Declining fish population

• Threats to biodiversity

• Soil erosion and flooding

ISSUES

Iloilo River

3. Over fishing

Causes • Presence of illegal fish pen

• Uncontrolled fish capture in

the past decades

Impacts • Declining fish population

• Threats to biodiversity

• Loss of livelihood to some

fisher folks

ISSUES

Iloilo River

4. Flooding

Causes • Narrowing of waterways due

to encroachment of

structures

• Soil erosion due to

destruction of mangroves

• Increase sedimentation in

the river beds

• Climate change

ISSUES

Iloilo River

4. Flooding

Impacts • Disrupted communities

• Loss of life

• Loss of livelihood

ISSUES

Iloilo River

5. Lack of Public Access

Causes • Encroachment

Impacts • Lack of tourism and

recreational activity

• Low level of public

awareness on the issues

& problems of the river

ISSUES

Local Actions Managing Iloilo River Thru Participation

The Iloilo River Development Council

• Promote co-management of the

river through inter-agency cooperation

The Civil Society

• Encourage public initiatives through the

involvement of civic clubs, schools and

universities

A Lions Club Meeting

Council Regular Meeting

Local Actions

Making Iloilo River Healthy Thru Social Marketing

• Annual Celebration of Iloilo River Week

• Billboards, Posters and Leaflets

• Public Exhibits

• Radio and TV Interviews

• Forums and Workshops

Local Actions Making Iloilo River Healthy Thru Low Cost Wastewater

Treatment Technologies

Pilot Program

• Construction of the model Low Cost

Treatment Plant in partnership with

USAID

Replication Program

• Workshops, forums and study tours for

hospitals and hotels

• Actual adaptation by several hospitals

• Technology clinics for hotels on-going

Model Low Cost WWTP at the Slaughterhouse

Actual adaptation\n of the low cost model by

lloilo Mission Hospital

Local Actions

Making Iloilo River Healthy Thru River Clean-up Programs

Youth Program

• Youth forums

• Periodic clean-up drive

Volunteer Program

• Maintenance of weekly clean up in

partnership with NGO’s

Philippine Navy Naval Reserve Unit

Students from JBLF helped clean

the river

Students from JBLF helped clean the River

Local Actions

Making Iloilo River Healthy Thru Linkages With Other

Programs

Water Quality Management Area (WQMA)

• An multi-agency collaboration to

establish water quality monitoring

and financial liability mechanism

Septage Management Program

• Preparation of Feasibility Study in

collaboration with the city water provider

and the USAID

WQMA Governing Board Meeting

Septage Mgt Planning with USAID Personnel

Local Actions

Awareness Raising for Biodiversity in Iloilo River

Management

Painting Contest

Exhibits

Local Actions

Managing Biodiversity in Iloilo River Thru Mangrove

Reforestation

• Mangrove reforestation involving

students and civic clubs

• Mangrove studies and researches

Local Actions

Managing Biodiversity in Iloilo River Thru

Sustainable Fishery

• Removal of Illegal Fishpens

Local Actions

Providing Access to Iloilo River

• Construction of 8 Km Boulevard

- Preferred site of healthy lifestyle

- Site for Iloilo River promotion

The Efrain. Trenas Boulevard

Local Actions

Managing Public Safety in Iloilo River

• Flood Control Project in Collaboration

with the National Government

- Dredging

- Concrete rip rapping of river banks

Local Actions

Preserving Iloilo River’s Heritage

• Cultural Heritage Conservation

Guideline completed 1st Quarter of

2010

Iloilo River in the Future

Center for the Promotion of Urban Biodiversity

Objectives

1. Promote eco-tourism

2. Provide students & city residents the

opportunity:

a. for leisure travel along Iloilo River

b. experience exotic bird watching,

visit rare mangrove areas

c. learn about the river’s unique

ecosystem

3. Increase awareness program to

other venues in Iloilo River

Thank You