The Longest Linear Park in the Philippines (A sustainable solution)
This is Iloilo City.
A Humbling. Progressive. Charming and Vibrant City.
It is the capital city of the Iloilo Province located at the southern shores of Panay Island.
At its core is the Iloilo River. Where, In the early days was once a fishing ground for most people living near the river banks.
But informal settlers along the river banks plagued the iloilo river for many years. Causing the water quality to be poor due to trash and debris. And rubbish from withering, and rusting old ships along the river.
But then with the government initiative and private parties alike. The Iloilo River was rehabilitated to what it is now today.
The repair, Originally started as a river dike devoid of shade and was built as a flood control system. The initiative later on evolved into what is now called the Iloilo River Esplanade Project.
And so. Phase 1 of the Iloilo River Esplanade Project was launched by Senator Franklin Drilon. And opened to the public in August of 2012. It was designed by a renowned architect Paolo Alcazaren.
It was a 1.2 kilometer road along Iloilo River which starts from Carpenter's Bridge in Molo to Diversion Bridge in Mandurriao district. The Project cost was 58.9 million pesos.
The Iloilo Esplanade project is not just a road beautification project. It strikes a balance between an environmentally sustainable walk way park that preserves the marine life and modernization of the river banks as a leisure destination.
Mangroves, trees and flowers were planted to regulate air quality. Lights and railings were installed for safety and stages were built for leisure. This later became the blueprint design that was copied to other Esplanade projects.
Because of Esplanade's successful sustainable development project. In 2010. LivCom. The only non-profit committee for Livable Communities, awarded the project, a Gold award for Environmentally Sustainable Project Awards, that was held in Chicago, U.S.A.
It is the World's only Awards Competition focusing on International Best Practice regarding the management of the local environment and development.
A testimony of Iloilo City's government and its people working together in conformity.
After Esplanade 1. Esplanade 2 was added on the other side of the river. And with the success of Esplanade 1 and 2. Newer extensions of the park were built. Thus the creation of Esplanade 3 and 4 from Diversion Bridge to Jalandoni Bridge in Barangay Nabitasan in La Paz district.
Also added. Are Esplanade 5 and 6 from Jalandoni Bridge to Forbes Bridge. And, Esplanade 7 being the shortest is from Forbes Bridge to Muelle Loney Bridge.
On the other hand Esplanade 8 stretches from Muelle Loney Bridge crossing Quirino-Lopez Bridge, Drilon Bridge and up to the front of the new Freedom Grandstand.
The last four sections were opened to the public on July 2019.
Esplanade 9 was the latest to be completed and it starts from Muelle Loney Bridge to Quirino-Lopez Bridge. With an extension just across Esplanade 8.
To this date Esplanade 3 is still being built. And a Foot Bridge is also on-going that will connect Esplanade 3 to Esplanade 1 Extension Skate Park.
Most of the Esplanade sections are of a 1 kilometer or so in length. With Esplanade 8 at around 1.4 kilometers to be the longest.
Overall. The total cost of the project is now a little over 1 billion pesos. And the total length of the park is around 10 kilometers. It is currently the longest linear park in the Philippines.
And arguably a living testament that urban development should not be at the expense of nature and the environment.
:: ATV ::
PS.
Youtube docu video of this article: