In just one year, the Iloilo City Government has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience through the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (OCENRO), rolling out flagship initiatives that have expanded urban green spaces, advanced the circular economy, and accelerated the adoption of renewable energy across the city.
Implemented under the Rising Liveability pillar of the city’s RISE-to-ACTION Framework, the I-Greens, Iloilo EcoCycle, and SunRISE: Sustainable Solar Solutions programs have delivered measurable environmental gains while encouraging greater community participation in protecting the environment.
Leading the city’s greening efforts is I-Greens (Iloilo Greens), launched on August 9, 2025, with the tagline “Grow Green, Live Clean.” The program expands and maintains parks, roadside tree lanes, pocket forests, mangrove areas, and community gardens to strengthen climate resilience while promoting the health and well-being of Ilonggos.
As of June 2026, I-Greens has facilitated the planting of 3,221 native trees and 16,465 mangroves, or a total of 19,686 trees and mangroves across the city. These initiatives are projected to sequester 141,217 kilograms of carbon, helping mitigate climate change while restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.
Complementing the city’s greening initiatives is the Iloilo EcoCycle Program, launched on September 29, 2025, to promote the transition toward a circular economy through social behavior change, capacity development, partnerships, and innovative waste management solutions.
Implemented in collaboration with the General Services Office (GSO) and the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office, the program has engaged 31 barangays, registered nine junkshops, refurbished 57 equipment units, and conducted 15 sustainability activities that encourage waste reduction, resource recovery, and responsible environmental practices.
Meanwhile, OCENRO is also leading Iloilo City’s transition to renewable energy through SunRISE: Sustainable Solar Solutions, launched on September 16, 2025, with the tagline “Empowering Communities through Clean Energy.”
Anchored on City Regulation Ordinance No. 2009-358 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the program encourages households to install solar energy systems by providing a 20-percent discount on basic real property tax for qualified applicants.
As of June 2026, the program has reached 173 households through field validation activities, processed 84 applications, issued 74 certifications to qualified beneficiaries, and conducted 45 inspections to ensure compliance with program standards. OCENRO has also distributed 504 informational flyers to strengthen public awareness and encourage more Ilonggo families to shift to clean and renewable energy.
By promoting renewable energy adoption, SunRISE helps reduce household electricity costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the city’s overall carbon footprint while empowering communities to become active partners in climate action.
These and all other sustained environmental initiatives have also earned Iloilo City national and international recognition. The city is the only city in the Philippines recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center as a Generation Restoration Role Model City for its Ecosystem Restoration Initiative.
Iloilo City is likewise received its second ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award and has been named among the World’s Top 20 Cities for Zero Waste Innovation by a United Nations advisory body for its pioneering sustainability efforts.
It has also received recognition from the Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI) for promoting water security and climate resilience, and from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI for its outstanding contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Through the said initiatives, the city government continues to create lasting environmental and social benefits for Ilonggos while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As Iloilo City continues its journey toward becoming one of the country’s most livable and sustainable cities, OCENRO remains at the forefront of protecting the environment and ensuring that economic progress goes hand in hand with responsible stewardship of natural resources.
