President Benigno Aquino III expressed his appreciation for the beauty of the Iloilo River Esplanade, citing that it could boost the tourism landscape of Iloilo City.
This was shared by Senator Franklin Drilon who joined the President, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and other local officials for a side trip to the 1.2-kilometer Esplanade Friday. The Esplanade was built through the senator's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
The Iloilo River Esplanade is part of the Iloilo River Development Project of the city government here and supported by Senator Drilon. The project's initial phase costs around P58 million.
The project consists of the road widening of the Treñas Boulevard from the diversion road to Carpenters Bridge. It also has a view deck, palm trees planted at its park, fountain, lamp post and a giant Dinagyang warrior which signifies the city's famous festival.
It will also provide a recreational space for walking, complete with stalls and restaurants, ease vehicular traffic since it is intended as a bike road and serves as fitness hub for fitness-conscious Ilonggos,
Fitness activities such as jogging and public aerobic classes will be available along the long open stretched especially during early morning and late afternoon.
The esplanade will also a good venue for photography enthusiasts who seek to capture the natural and scenic beauty of Iloilo River.
The esplanade, which is similar to the Singapore Quay, was designed by Architect Paolo Alcazaren who also worked on the said project.
Meanwhile, Drilon also said that Aquino congratulated city government officials for working hand in hand in the development of Iloilo City.
He said the President is looking forward to coming back to Iloilo City and enjoying the specialty foods of Ilonggos.
Also, Drilon cited that President Aquino committed to give additional fund for the housing projects for the people who will be affected by the Iloilo River Development Project.
He said they are doing their best to relocate the households situated in the danger zone of Iloilo River. He further added that relocating the residents near the river is necessary to clean the Iloilo River.
In a monitoring conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the coliform level of Iloilo River is high but Drilon said that they are doing everything to continuously improve its water quality.
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