Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has once again showcased Iloilo City to the world especially its greening initiatives during the World Governments Summit in Dubai last Feb. 12 to 14.
Treñas, who was the lone invitee for the cities from the Philippines, focused his presentation entitled “Resilient Iloilo for Sustainable Environment (RISE)” on various greening and massive tree-planting program of the city government.
He cited, in particular, the ongoing Tree Park Network Project of the city during the Global Mayors Dialogue: Future Readiness of Cities.
“I just attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai and joined the round table discussions of mayors. I shared the Tree Park Network of Iloilo City consisting of three, in conjunction with the rehabilitation of 7 district plazas and the mangroves at the Esplanades,” Treñas said.
The project will establish eco-forests in three districts, namely: Tree Park at Lanit, Jaro worth P22.8 million; Beach Forest at Boulevard, Molo, P31.9 million; and Mangrove Eco-Park at Hinactacan, La Paz, P48.7 million.
The city government partnered with the United Architects of the Philippines-Bahandi Chapter, which has creatively crafted the design of the tree park.
“The tree parks vie to become an avenue for world-class architecture, design, and environmental conservation models that may lead the city to greater heights,” the city mayor shared.
Moreover, the promotion of the welfare of Ati people is included in the plans, making the initiative inclusive.
The added attractions include lagoons, an art gallery, and a display center wherein the native products of the indigenous people will be offered to visitors.
“It aims to provide more green spaces to mitigate the effects of climate change and restore biodiversity in the city. These will mean additional recreational facilities for the public and opportunities to bring the constituents closer to nature to support the efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
Meanwhile, the city also maintains a Beach Forest along the coast of Brgy. Boulevard in Molo district, in partnership with the Zoological Society of London and Globe Telecom.
Tree park personnel or ‘forest guards’ have been placed to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of the area, including the conduct of regular clean-up activities.
Likewise, around 200 hectares of arboretum, a botanical garden devoted to trees, have been planted with different native trees in the Mangrove Eco-Park at Hinactacan in La Paz district.
“The city’s open spaces are now being brought to a higher level of function, and the tree parks will fulfill the purpose of promoting community stewardship of green spaces and raising ecological awareness through education and outreach,” Treñas emphasized.
It is the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) that supervises the project in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Global Business Corporation, and other partner agencies.
“All these will promote plant and animal diversity, benefiting both present and future generations of the Ilonggo community,” he stated.
With Treñas during the Global Mayors Dialogue were Mr. Yevgeniy Glotov, Deputy Akim of Astana, Kazakhstan; Mr. Meirambek Ashirbekov, Head of the Department of Digitalization and Public Services, Astana, Kazakhstan; Mayor Rohey Lowe, Mayor of Banjul, Gambia; Mayor GhanaShyam Giri, Mayor of Chandragiri Municipality, Bagamati Province, Nepal; H.E. Daoud AlHajri, Dubai, Director General of Dubai Municipality, United Arab Emirates; Mr. Gopal Krishna Neupane, Executive Director, Provincial Government, Jawlakhel, Lalitpur, Nepal; Mayor Gunars Ansins, Mayor of Liepaja City, Latvia; Mayor Sousa Silva, Mayor of Mafra, Portugal; Mr. Edward Memelstein, Commissioner of International Affairs, New York City, USA; Mayor Rob Burton, Mayor of Oakville, Canada; and Mr.Omar Al-Rawi, Member of Regional Parliament and Member of City Council, City of Vienna.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai delivered the opening remarks while Carlo Ratti of Carlo Ratti Associati served as keynote speaker.
Late last year, Treñas also served as one of the panelists in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) forum in Vienna, Austria.
He also showcased the city’s best practices in the Mayors Dialogue 2 on “Advancing innovation and partnerships for a net zero transport” at UNIDO’s Bridge for Cities event. (Iloilo City PIO)
