The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project was one of the top ten recipients of the highly coveted Galing Pook Awards 2018. Mayor Jose Espinosa III received the plaque together with other city officials at the Novotel Manila, Araneta Center in Quezon City on October 11, 2018. The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project was in collaboration with national agencies, non-government organizations, academe, and civil society to address siltation, water pollution, encroachment, illegal cutting of mangroves, and informal settlements along the Iloilo River.

Santiagudo, E. R. (2018, October 15). Iloilo City's river dev't project bags 2018 Galing Pook Award. The Daily Guardian, p. 13.