Mabilog seeking ordinance to preserve Iloilo River
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has bared plans to ask the Sangguniang Panlungsod to create a regulation ordinance for the preservation of the Iloilo River as he ordered the removal of the remaining illegal fish pens and other structures from the waterway.
Mabilog said he was informed recently by members of the Iloilo River Development Council regarding the structures along the river.
He said he directed ordered City Agriculturist Josegil Parreñas to immediately remove these illegal structures.
Although these illegal structures could not be seen during high tide, the mayor insisted on clearing the river, particularly the areas from Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurriao district to Sooc in Arevalo district, before disaster could happen.
These illegal structures obstruct the river flow and accumulate soil accretion that adds up to the river siltation, Mabilog said.
He said the city government is very serious in the protection of the city’s main body of water as provided in the Iloilo River Development Master Plan.
Part of the plan is the relocation of squatters living along the river while private structures such as houses, restaurants, hospitals, shopping malls and others must conform with the policy of keeping the river clean and safe.
ULTIMATUM
Mabilog said Parreñas should be able to facilitate the removal of all structures in the Iloilo River by the end of August or face relief as city agriculturist.
If Parreñas cannot do the job, the mayor said he will look for someone to do it and Parreñas may be transferred to another city government office.
In January this year, the Operation Bantay Suba was launched by the city government to encourage Ilonggos to be more concerned and participative about the plight of the Iloilo River.
Bantay Suba volunteers were then tasked to assist the Iloilo River Development Council in the monitoring and implementation of laws relevant to the preservation of Iloilo River including mangrove protection, anti-illegal encroachment, anti-illegal fishing, and proper solid waste and wastewater management.
