The Iloilo City Council has begun an investigation into the alleged conversion of mangrove areas along the Iloilo Strait into privately titled land, following claims that homestead patents were issued within protected coastal zones. The inquiry was initiated after councilor Romel Duron delivered a privilege speech raising concerns over at least three homestead patents reportedly covering nearly 50 hectares of mangrove and coastal land in the barangay (villages) of Balabago, Bitoon and Hinactacan.

Castor, R. Z. (2026, January 18). Privatization of mangrove areas in Iloilo City probed. The Manila Times, p. A8.