Demolish houses along Iloilo River
THE Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) here wanted all houses along the Iloilo River removed as part of the Iloilo River Development Plan.
Engr. Reynan Escoto of the CENRO said that if they have their way, all houses near and along the riverside should be removed to hasten government projects intended to preserve and improve the river condition.
In fact, the City ENRO has previously proposed that houses along the river should be at least three meters away from the river bank but they are having a hard time rallying support for the proposal in the City Council.
Escoto said that at least four of the seven districts of Iloilo City are surrounding and lining the Iloilo River. In their survey of barangays along the river, most houses don’t have toilets and proper garbage disposal. In fact, the water in the river has coliform count of around 1 million parts per liter, which is way above the acceptable maximum count of 200 parts per liter.
“This is very alarming since the river water is very filthy as it contains animal and human feces, aside from garbage,” said Escoto. “They have virtually turned the river into a dump site and septic tank,” he lamented.
Escoto also said the city government is currently preparing more relocation sites for people who will be eventually asked to leave their houses along and near the Iloilo River.
He also said that the Iloilo River Development Plan is already in the works, and the local government will eventually impose the project in the near future. One of the first steps is to clean the riverside of illegal structure, establishments and houses, he added.
Philippine News Agency
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