dEvcom

fEATURE | DEVCOM

Merged Reality

wriTTen by MDPWN. FRANZESCA MARI B. BAUTISTA

It was the 19th Century. The riverside was busy—boats came and went, passing through the river for trade. Sugar was of high demand.

The boom in the sugar industry made Iloilo River the second most important port of call in the Spanish Colony. With its economy growing, Iloilo’s rank was raised to Royal City (Queen’s City) of the South by the Queen Regent of Spain. The center of economic growth and development, Iloilo River still remains as a trademark. It is presented as a story of a forgotten asset, polluted and degraded. The Iloilo River supports the growth of 22 mangrove species out of 35 national species. However, what was supposedly abundant in the region has become a needle in a haystack of infrastructures. Mangrove areas were reduced because they were converted to residential areas. Informal settlers were not only a problem for the diminishing area for mangroves but are also contributors to water pollution. Untreated wastewater from residential, hospitals and hotels as well as solid waste caused the river to be poisoned. Waterborne diseases were abundant, water quality was poor, and fi sh kill was apparent.

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VOL.59 nO.1 | The DOLPHIN Due to the presence of informal settlers and improper waste management, most of the wastewater from the city, as well as the waste from ocean vessels brought about by the current has infi ltrated Iloilo River. The intrusion of saltwater was also evident. This may lead to the contamination of groundwater, making water scarcity and security an issue for the Ilonggos. National development objectives, environmental concerns, and possible economic progress led to the conclusion that the Iloilo-Batiano River basin had to be cleaned. In order to achieve this goal, the city government implemented programs and

projects that may help the restoration of the Iloilo-Batiano River basin. The aforementioned projects are: Flood Control and Mitigating Measures and Comprehensive Urban Drainage and Sewage Master Plan which aims to prevent fl ooding through creek improvements, dredging and excavation, channel restoration and improve the city’s existing drainage system; The City Coastal Resources Management Plan which provisions support to fi sher folks who have been displaced due to the implementation of development projects, and aims to restore depleted mangrove covers; The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project which won the coveted Galing Pook Award. In order to achieve this award, the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council (IBRDC) was established. The council was in charge of identifying challenges and strategies, focusing on the conservation and restoration of areas, eco-tourism, management of waterways, and land use management. Furthermore, the city government of Iloilo has taken appropriate actions through participation, social marketing, low-cost wastewater treatment technologies and river clean-up programs.

PHOTO SOurce: PHiliPPineSrePOrT.cOm

OPERATION. Wastes are removed and collected to bring back the splendor of the river.

PHOTO SOurce: www.ilOilOTOday.cOm

PHOTO SOurce: ilOilOQueenciTy.wOrdPreSS.cOm

LGU’s (Local Government Units), as well as schools like John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU), have participated in river clean-ups. Social Marketing strategies such as the annual celebration of Iloilo River Week, forums and workshops and strategic placing of billboards in conspicuous places have also been observed. Moreover, programs like the Iloilo River Rehabilitation Program (IRRP) have been implemented. This program aims to remove obstruction along creeks and seeks to produce an inventory for fi sh pens and mangroves, to supervise the number of mangrove trees and to prevent the resurgence of illegal fi sh pens. During ancient times, the fi rst civilizations were established near rivers. Bodies of water were considered key

SETTLEMENT. A rich history of past that mirror the present.

to economic growth—they served as a medium for transportation, a source of food and water, as well as irrigation for prosperous agriculture. This also serves true for the Iloilo River system. It was once the pathway to the city’s economic growth because of its use in trade. Many Ilonggos have also used the river to catch fi sh as a means of livelihood. Unfortunately, through time the gem of Iloilo’s economic prowess became but a mere disposal site for unwanted waste. As the demand in jobs increased, overpopulation became very evident in urban cities. The increase in population density has led to the need for additional accommodation. Thus, the ample number of illegal settlers near riverbanks became apparent.

PHOTO SOurce: mybeauTifulilOilO.blOgSPOT.cOm

PHOTO SOurce: mybeauTifulilOilO.blOgSPOT.cOm The trash produced by these settlers coupled by commercial and agricultural waste as well as the ill eff ects of climate change has greatly aff ected the Iloilo River. Unwanted results of pollution became a threat to biodiversity. Health hazards were also in the rise due to the poor drainage system. Government projects were then implemented to reduce these eff ects. Such programs are those mentioned above. Today, Iloilo has claimed international awards in its continuous fi ght to prevent pollution, restore lost biodiversity, and preserve water resources. It was the 21st Century. The riverside was busy--people were jogging happily, kayaks were being rented for recreational purposes, and fl ower petals from nearby trees freely fell to the river. What was once full of garbage has now been revived to its original glory; it was a dumpsite no more. The center of economic growth and development, Iloilo River still remains as a trademark. It is now presented as a story of redemption—evidence of the present and its origin merging to become reality.

THE PHILIPPINES’ FIRST QUEEN

Iloilo was already an important city during the early years of the Spanish colonization of the country. It was the second most important city to be recognized by the Spanish empire as the major economic center of the Philippines after Manila and is one of only two cities to be recognized as a Royal City by virtue of a Spanish decree, Manila being the other. Moved by the Ilonggos’s loyalty to Spain, the Queen Regent Maria Cristina honored the city of Iloilo (in the name of her son King Alfonso III) with the title Muy Noble. The Royal Decree granting the perpetual title Muy Noble was signed on 1 March 1898 by the Queen Regent. Over time, this title earned for Iloilo City the reputation of it being “The Queen’s Favored City in the South” or simply “Queen’s City in the South” (a title Iloilo City still claims, but is now more attributed to Cebu City for reason of economic progress, after that city eclipsed the economy of Iloilo during the aftermath of its economic decline). It was considered as the capital of the south until 1898, with even Cebu under its jurisdiction. jurisdiction.

Source: http://zerothreetwo.com/the-city/why-iscebu-city-called-the-queen-city-of-the-south/