Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar has ordered full-blast works on the nine (9) esplanades or open area for walking and biking along the shores of Iloilo River in Iloilo City to provide people with more recreational spaces.
Secretary Villar ordered District Engineer (DE) Rodney A. Gustilo to expedite the paving of walkways of the 820-meter Esplanade 4 located at the right side of Iloilo River from Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue Bridge to Jalandoni Bridge, with a total budget of P46-million; and the 820-meter Esplanade 6 from Jalandoni Bridge up to Forbes Bridge (right bank), with a total budget of P45.98-million following the completion of slope protection activities.
“As we have already completed the 366-meter slope protection of the P49-million Esplanade 5 on the left side of the river along Jalandoni Bridge to Forbes Bridge, we are targeting to complete the remaining 635-meters and installation of lights by March this year,” said Sec. Villar.
The 224.81-meter slope protection, boat docking area, and railings of Esplanade 7 that stretches from Forbes Bridge to Muelle Loney on the left bank of the river is already complete, while the walkways are currently being paved under the second phase of the project.
Also ongoing on the right side of Iloilo River, from Muelle Loney Bridge to Drilon Bridge, is the construction of 845-meter slope protection, docking area, viewing decks, and metal railings of Esplanade 8, amounting to P82.8-million; and the 325-meter slope protection, pedestrian footbridge, viewing decks, and docking area for Esplanade 9 that covers Muelle Loney Bridge to Quirino Bridge.
“We have completed the 838-meter slope protection for Esplanade 3 that stretches along Nabitasan-San Rafael Bypass Road, amounting to P62.65-million, and will connect the footbridge to Esplanade 1 extension to provide people with more spaces aside from Esplanade 1 and 2,” reported DE Gustilo.
“These infrastructure projects will not only control sedimentation and erosion along the river banks of Iloilo River to prevent flooding especially during rainy season but will also provide recreational spaces for the citizens,” added DE Gustilo.