Esplanade, Iloilo-style

I love the city of Iloilo. The people are warm and accommodating and the place is chockfull of heritage architecture, parks and plazas. I’ve had the good fortune of visiting often in the past year and a half to enjoy Ilonggo hospitality in the course of assisting the local government in designing and implementing urban improvements, specifically the new Iloilo Esplanade.

The esplanade, opened last year by President Aquino, was the brainchild of Senator Franklin Drilon. He had wanted to complement previous improvements of the last few decades, many of which he directly supported. Flood-control measures, the new airport, and bridges were built in conjunction with initiatives of past Mayor Jerry Trenas (now congressman) and current Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Senator Drilon wanted a riverside esplanade of the quality of Singapore’s famous quays. The Iloilo River is one of the cleanest in the country, thanks to measures taken by the senator, mayor and congressman. It actually was the showcase of the First Philippine International River Summit last June, which was attended by hundreds of officials, scientists and stakeholders from neighboring provinces and from overseas.

Since the opening with guests Senator Loren Legarda and Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao, the Esplanade has become one of the most popular spots in the city. Thousands come every day — early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Morning and evening joggers fill the 10- to 15-meter-wide and 1.2-kilometer-long Esplanade.

The Esplanade was designed as a linear park. Palms, colorful shrubs and shade trees (which will mature in the next few years) were planted to provide a green ribbon connecting Carpenter Bridge with the Diversion Bridge. Ilonggos peppered their FB pages with pictures of the Esplanade and the activities there within days of its opening.

Generous lighting makes the Esplanade attractive for evening and night use. The nearby Smallville district of new hotels and restaurants has benefited and complements the Esplanade.

The Esplanade is also designed to protect the prolific mangrove edges of the Iloilo River. Viewing decks are provided at strategic spots from which to view these and the panorama of the city. Accommodations have been made also for future kiosks and other amenities. Regular police foot patrols ensure security for Esplanade users.

Since the Esplanade opened, the adjacent properties have perked up, both in value and actual development. Restaurants and commercial establishments have embarked on improvements or new projects that are now linked to the Esplanade. Hotels are being planned and a few are already under construction within a stone’s throw of the Esplanade.

The Esplanade has been so successful that Senator Drilon has spearheaded the drive to extend the amenity on the other side first, then subsequently all along the river. Mayor Mabilog and Congressman Trenas are supporting this plus another project: the improvement of Benigno Aquino Avenue, which will link the Esplanade another two kilometers inland to the existing SM Iloilo.

This new avenue will be designed as the city’s Champs-Elysées. Five rows of lovely shade trees will line the long drive and provide a comfortable and green pedestrian-friendly linear parkway. Bike lanes, disabled access and other amenities will be provided. Ramps and pedestrian bridges will connect the parkway to the Esplanade, Smallville, the SM complex and other commercial complexes. A police station will ensure security coupled with CCTVs.

The Benigno S. Aquino Avenue improvement project saw its groundbreaking last month. The senator, mayor and congressman led the ceremonies, including the sinking of a time capsule and unveiling of perspectives of the proposed new avenue improvements.

Metro Manila can learn a lot from Iloilo. Its river is cleaner than the Pasig. Its heritage buildings are being conserved and its historic district retains the charm of eras past without compromising progress. Its churches are intact and its parks and plazas are getting makeovers to bring them back to their old glory.

Iloilo now has the longest landscaped river Esplanade in the country. It will soon have a main avenue that will rival Roxas Boulevard and Ayala Avenue here in Metro Manila. For all this it deserves its name, the “Queen City of the South.” It does so with citizens’ backing and the political will of its leaders, all of whom understand that conserving a city and providing open green amenities go hand in hand with progress in buildings and infrastructure. Visit Iloilo soon. You’ll love the Ilonggos and their warm, comfortable, character-filled city.

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Feedback is welcome. Please e-mail the writer at paulo.alcazaren@gmail.com.