THE Iloilo City River Esplanade is a favorite promenade for health buffs and ordinary residents who walk through its brick paths along the riverbank for a breath of fresh air.
Opened in Aug. 18, 2012, it was not intended to be a public park.
The river embankment was started as a flood control project to address massive flooding in the area.
Congressman Jerry Treñas, who was the mayor then, had a diversion road opened in the area which was later closed to give way to the Esplanade project of Sen. Frank Drilon.
Today Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is supporting a phase 2 across the water.
“For as long as we continue to have national government support, we will continue to develop our riverbanks. We are now even planning a phase 3,” said Noel Hechanova, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro), who briefed visiting journalists.
Esplanade 1 has palm trees, colorful shrubs and shade trees. It is is open for public use from 6 a.m to 11 a.m
To ensure park security, loitering after 11 p.m. , littering and bringing pets are punished with a P500 fine.
“We want the park to be an area for jogging, walking and resting,” said Hechanova.
The P58.9 million cost of the 1.2 kilometer Iloilo River Esplanade was funded by the Priority Assistance Development Fund of Senator Drilon, an Ilonggo.
Phase 2 located across the park is funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Flooding Problems
The Esplanade stands on an estuary, an area where fresh and seawater meet. The 1.2 kilometer linear park is only part of the Iloilo riverbank that covers 13.5 kilometers.
The river was used as a harbor even before the Spaniards came. The area was host to the galleon trade giving Iloilo its title of the Queen City of the South. About 3,000 businesses flourish along the riverbank that is also home to thousands of families.
Hechanova said that in the past, barangays along the Iloilo river would get submerged in water during high tide or whenever there was flooding. The river also became very polluted with the presence of at least 7, 000 families in the area and mangroves were dwindling.
City officials united with national counterparts to address the cutting of mangroves, declining fish population, water pollution, siltation and the presence of informal settlers.
Today the river is home to 22 different mangrove species giving the area a high biodiversity index.
“This is one of the few places in Iloilo where biological activity is happening,” said Hechanova.
The park was designed by architect Paulo Alcazaren, who also worked on the Singapore Quay and River Esplanade. Th public park forms part of the city’s heritage zone. The zone includes the Gothic and Renaissance themed Molo church and the Carpenter bridge.
The Esplanade and efforts to develop Iloilo city and preserve its heritage sites are proof of the “healthy” relations between city officials and private sector partners.
“There were earlier suggestion to demolish the Carpenter bridge but the city’s Heritage Council decided to have it preserve because it forms part of the city’s heritage zone. SM management helped in the preservation of the bridge,” said Hechanova.
He said local officials partnered with the national government to secure funding for the area.