The local government of Iloilo City, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall spearhead the 1st Philippine International River Summit on May 30 to June 1.
In a press conference last Monday, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the project is beyond mere river clean-up; it is an initiative towards social and economic progress.
In 2011, the Iloilo River Development Council, headed by Senator Franklin Drilon, and Iloilo local government forged a massive clean-up and re-development of the Iloilo River. The project includes removal of illegal fishpens, derelict vessels, relocation of informal settlers, dredging, widening blocked areas, and replanting of mangrove areas.
According to Mabilog, progress was soon observed after six months of rehabilitation. Illegal fishers were displaced and given alternative livelihood through the help of project partners. Informal settlers were also moved to relocation sites through the effort of the National Housing Authority and Iloilo LGU.
The team of environmentalists also called on experts from other river communities worldwide, which displayed the best practices of river management. The significant learnings derived from them was thought to be shared to multi-sectors, thus, the idea for the 1st Philippine International River Summit was born, said Mayor Mabilog.
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Dredging Today Staff, May 16, 2012;