Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has signed an ordinance establishing Coastal Greenbelt Zones (CGZ) to safeguard mangrove forests and enhance the city’s resilience against climate-related threats and coastal hazards.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Romel Duron, initially covers around 110 hectares of mangrove forests in Barangays Bito-on and Balabago in Jaro District, Hinactacan in La Paz District, and other mangrove areas identified in the city’s Coastal Resources Management Plan.

Duron, who serves as chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Environment, said the ordinance was introduced to protect and expand the city’s remaining natural and artificial greenbelt areas despite the limited space brought about by urbanization.

He stressed that preserving mangrove forests would help lessen the impact of storm surges and other natural disasters on coastal communities.

“Kita sa Iloilo City, we are highly urbanized, so we have limited space for that type of project. But despite sina, we are lucky na may lugar pa kita I think not only artificial, pero natural gid, that is the why we push this ordinance so we can protect it and expand as much as possible, because that is a big help during calamity and it happened already during storm surge,” the official told IMT NEWS.

Under the ordinance, CGZ are defined as 100-meter strips of natural or artificial coastal vegetation designed to prevent erosion and reduce the effects of storm surges, flooding, and other coastal hazards.

The measure prohibits the construction of permanent or temporary structures, coastal reclamation, land filling, and other activities that may damage the Coastal Greenbelt Zones and their mangrove ecosystems.

It also bans mangrove cutting, seedling collection, firewood gathering, waste dumping, the conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds, and destructive fishing methods such as dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, and the use of fine-mesh nets.

Moreover, limited fishing is allowed only for registered artisanal fisherfolk and nearby residents, provided their activities do not damage the mangroves or involve the installation of structures within the protected areas.

In case of violations, offenders may face fines ranging from P2,500 to P4,000, imprisonment, or the cancellation of business permits for commercial establishments, depending on the offense.

The ordinance also aligns with Project TRANSFORM, the city’s flagship environmental program aimed at expanding mangrove cover, urban forests, and green open spaces across the metropolis.

Meanwhile, Treñas said the city government will convene experts and scientists to craft the ordinance’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) before its implementation.

“As we prepare for its implementation, we will convene experts and scientists to craft science-guided, evidence-based IRR that will ensure the effective protection and rehabilitation of our mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems,” she said.

The ordinance also creates a CGZ Committee, which will be chaired by the city mayor and vice-chaired by the chairperson of the Committee on Environment.

To support the ordinance’s implementation, the city government has allocated P5 million for capacity-building programs, public education campaigns, enforcement, and monitoring efforts.

“Thank you for the overwhelming public support and to the Iloilo City Council for unanimously passing this landmark measure. We are ensuring that Iloilo City continues to grow while protecting our natural environment for today’s Ilonggos and future generations,” Treñas said.Jose Alphonso Ceria, WVSU-COC intern/IMT