DevCom | Grand Estuary: Connecting Origins to Progress

Iloilo River’s Development through Time

WRITTEN BY MDPN. NICANOR CINCO III

It 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 colonialization 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 villages in Panay. They have seen the richness of the island, specifically along the Panay River.

SUSTENANCE. Fishermen in the city benefits from the river’s abundance. Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times

It is why a lot of our waterways are dead or dying and in dire need of being brought back to life.

COMPARISON. Iloilo River’s transformation is evident in the corners of the city.

Photo source: http://mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com and https://www.projectlupad.com

The arrival of a Spaniard, Juan de la Isla, at Panay in 1570, with three ships and copious Spaniards, marked the beginning of Panay’s formal colonization.

During the late 1800s, Spanish era, the Iloilo River was a trademark, and the city became the center of Philippine trade and commerce, second to Manila. The city was recognized as Queen City of the south under the Spanish decree due to the fast-growing economy and the boom of Negros and Panay Island sugar industry. Making Iloilo River the second major port of call of the country.

As a distinctive natural port, the river has contributed to economic and naval strategy by attracting ships to anchor at the river, especially during a typhoon. Thus, the Iloilo River became occupied by many merchant vessels since foreign and non-Spanish transactions were open during those times.

Cons of Modernity

Time passed and modernity started to appear. The Iloilo River is still the economic capital of the city, yet many things have changed. Trees along the riverside were replaced by tall buildings, residential areas were prevalent instead of mangrove areas, and natural landscapes turned into landmasses full of business establishments. As the city continued to progress, the relationship of the people to the river became more distant.

From an abundant river, it became a cesspool. Solid wastes and wastewaters from informal settlers, hospitals, commercial buildings, and other establishments polluted the once pristine river. Contaminated and filled with sewage, marine life started to deteriorate and the river almost became lifeless.

“In modern times, these same rivers and waterways have become the sewers of our towns and cities. They have become degraded. We no longer understand the contributions that rivers and esteros give to our cities have and rivers. We abuse them. We clog waterways and pollute rivers. We turn a blind eye to factories and industries exploiting and informal settlements filling them with untreated septage. It is why a lot of our waterways are dead or dying and in dire need of being brought back to life,” quoted Paulo G. Alcazaren, designer of Iloilo River Esplanade.

Redemption

As modernization has caused the Iloilo River to cease, national and city government, environmental organizations, and other partner agencies have developed a master plan to bring back a once majestic river.

The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council (IBRDC) was formed and created the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project to lead and integrate efforts to address siltation, water pollution, encroachment, illegal cutting of mangroves, and informal settlements in the Iloilo River with national agencies, non-governmental organizations, academe, and civil society.

Through collaborative efforts, the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River became successful. The IBRDC was able to release different fingerlings and conduct mangrove reforestation to conserve biodiversity that reduced the siltation and flooding incidents. Fish pens, natural and manmade constrictions were removed.

Resettlement of informal settlers, wastewater treatment technologies, clean-up drive, proper septage management, regular monitoring of water quality, and implementing regulations such as no discharge permit, no business permit policy have reduced the water pollution in the river.

Moreover, The IBRDC was able to develop the river as the center of destination amidst urbanized city by generating parks, bicycle lanes, and walkways as an open space and public access to the river, just like the construction of the Iloilo River Esplanade, the longest linear park in the Philippines.

The rehabilitation of the Iloilo River does not only benefited the needs of the Ilonggos, but it also brought pride to the city. The river clinched the Galing Pook Award in 2018, and the Iloilo River Esplanade was given a Haligi ng Dangal Award in the same year.

Provisions of the water

The successful rehabilitation of the Iloilo River has reached its peak of purpose as the Ilonggos face the adversities of time.

The pandemic has afflicted the lives of Ilonggos in terms of economic prospects and most especially, in health security. Despite that, the abundance of the river became the hope for the Ilonggos to adopt in these challenging times.

Among the 4.2 million Filipinos who lost their jobs, Salvador Carmona, a once laborer and carpenter, fishes in his angling spot along the Iloilo river to provide food for his family. On the other hand, Onyok, one of the active local anglers on the river has caught 14.5 kilos of Bulgan (Barramundi).

“Through the years, I have committed myself to establish and create a sustainable and livable city for my beloved Ilonggos with the help of our partner agencies, we have seen clearer and abundant waters,” Mayor Jerry Treñas posts on his Facebook account after he noticed Onyok’s catch.

The Iloilo River Esplanade is a peaceful promenade along the Iloilo river with 9.035 kilometers in length from Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurriao to Muelle Loney Bridge in City Proper. The majestic view of the river in Iloilo River Esplanade has become the perfect spot not just for fishing, but also for other recreational activities like cycling, jogging, and many more. The Ilonggos were able to find a place for outdoor activities, and at the same time to have fresher air amidst an urbanized city.

OMBRE OF TIMES. Sunrise paints the Iloilo River in vibrant hues; a transition to hope and possibilities.

Photo Courtesy of Marcos Detourista

Moreover, due to the construction of the Iloilo River Esplanade, as part of the rehabilitation of the river, and other cycling infrastructures, Iloilo City became the most Bike-friendly city in the country as it was hailed as a Gold Award winner during the 2021 Mobility Award last November 25.

Where there is water, there is life. Just as water continues to flow in the Iloilo River, it provides hope and peace to those who catch a glimpse of it. The city’s seemingly endless clamor does not hold a light on how the teeming life in the Iloilo River affects the Ilonggo spirit. The pandemic has shut down businesses, taken away opportunities, and held back progress. However, the Ilonggos’ sense of resilience permeates whatever walls these challenges build for the community. Ilonggos find ways to provide for themselves by making use of the river’s ecosystem. With the mixture of talent, hard work, and grit, Ilonggos flourish continuously like the Iloilo River.

May this river continue to be the symbol of advancement and prestige of Iloilo for the many generations that will come. What must be done as of now is for the present generation to be consistent so that the drawbacks of the past will not resurface- only then can true transitions happen for this majestic body of water.