The Iloilo River can be a model in river cleanup, according to newly-installed Environment secretary Roy Cimatu. He was impressed by efforts to clean the Iloilo River which is actually an estuary, said Cimatu. Over a decade ago, DENR warned that the Iloilo River was “dying” due to pollution. In early 2010 the Iloilo River Development Council was formed and the water body’s rehabilitation was commenced. The Council and DENR partnered with the private sector. Massive cleaning was carried out, including the removal of illegal fish pens, relocation of illegal settlers, dredging, widening of blocked areas, and replanting of mangrove areas.

Sologastoa, G. (2017, May 17). Iloilo River can be PH model in river cleanup. Panay News, pp. 2, 16.