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Grand Estuary: Connecting Origins to Progress Iloilo River’s Development through Time WRITTEN BY MDPN. NICANOR CINCO III
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t was rich and once a center of trade and commerce. Consequently, globalization arose and turned it into an urban cesspool, lifeless and contaminated. Now, it is brought back to life through rehabilitation for sustainable growth and development. The Iloilo River, an estuary located at the heart of Iloilo City, has faced many transitions throughout time. The Iloilo River is not just a mere body of water. With approximately 15 kilometers of length from the town of Oton at Batiano River, traversing through the districts of Iloilo City, it provides food, water, and livelihood to many Ilonggos. It also has a unique biological feature that can inhabit 22 of the country’s 35 mangrove species and is abundant in fishes, such as milkfish and Tilapia. However, many years ago, the river has not been consistent in providing the needs of the Ilonggos because of the excessive economic development that caused the river to cease. Despite
that, the river continued to flow. It is a symbol of resilience, a witness to the city’s history and its constant sustainable transformation in the present. Memoir of the past During Pre-Spanish colonization, the Iloilo River has already contributed bountiful resources for the natives. It became the focal point of settlement since the river is curving through paddy fields, bamboo thickets, and forests. Traditional dwelling of Ilonggos- a hut made of bamboos and palms are lined-up at the riverside. The river reflected the Ilonggo’s humble way of life. In 1521, the Spanish colonilalization began when Ferdinand Magellan claimed the islands of the Philippines as the colony of Spain. When the Spaniards settled in Cebu, they experienced a shortage of food. A group of Spaniards traveled out to find food on other islands. Master-of-camp Mateo del Saz, along with two officers and a crew of 70, have ventured and landed at one of the
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It is why a lot of our waterways are dead or dying and in dire need of being brought back to life.
SUSTENANCE. Fisherman in the city benefits from the river’s abundance. Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times
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The DOLPHIN | NOVEMBER 2021
