1. ABOUT ILOILO RIVER

2. BEFORE THE SPANISH REGIME Channel of Trade - a busy artery of commerce & instrumental in the economic development of several important districts of Iloilo City Fishing Ground – source of fish for the early inhabitants of the city Early Settlements - thriving settlement in Jaro District and considerable number of Chinese residents in Molo District Anchorage - provided safe harbour to coastwise shipping

3. Seat of Spanish Government With the establishment of Fort San Pedro at the mouth of Iloilo River, Iloilo became the seat of the Spanish Government in the region. Early Development of Human Settlements Communities sprouted along the river banks after the establishment of the Fort. There were 835 residents in Iloilo in 1760 1700s: Spanish Regime

4. 1855: Opening of the Port of Iloilo to World Trade Center of Commerce and Trade Iloilo’s fine harbour provided the impetus for growth that led to the opening of the port of Iloilo to world trade. Iloilo soon emerged as one of the biggest centers of trade in the country, 2 nd to Manila Center of Commerce and Trade Iloilo’s fine harbour provided the impetus for growth that led to the opening of the port of Iloilo to world trade. Iloilo soon emerged as one of the biggest centers of trade in the country, 2 nd to Manila

5. Early Development of the Downtown Central Business District British and Spanish firms began to crowd the marshy areas along Iloilo River Warehouses, permanent offices and shops in the streets were built parallel to the river in the 1850’s and 1860’s Early Development of the Downtown Central Business District British and Spanish firms began to crowd the marshy areas along Iloilo River Warehouses, permanent offices and shops in the streets were built parallel to the river in the 1850’s and 1860’s 1855: Opening of the Port of Iloilo to World Trade Soon after, Iloilo earned the title “Queen’s City of the South”

6. Post-War Period After the war, uncontrolled human activities greatly affected the ecology and the economic viability of the Iloilo river, Among others, it was negatively impacted by the following: - Increasing number of population occupying the river banks ; - Mushrooming of fish pens and illegal structures; - Cases of encroachments: - Conversion of the river banks into fishponds or subdivisions along its course; -Unrestricted disposal of wastes and pollutant chemicals; and - Indiscriminate cutting of mature mangroves. After the war, uncontrolled human activities greatly affected the ecology and the economic viability of the Iloilo river, Among others, it was negatively impacted by the following: - Increasing number of population occupying the river banks ; - Mushrooming of fish pens and illegal structures; - Cases of encroachments: - Conversion of the river banks into fishponds or subdivisions along its course; -Unrestricted disposal of wastes and pollutant chemicals; and - Indiscriminate cutting of mature mangroves.

7. ILOILO RIVER BATIANO RIVER ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM

8. ILOILO RIVER BATIANO RIVER CALAJUNAN CREEK DUNGON CREEK MAMBOG CREEK- JIBAO-AN RIVER CABULUAN RIVER Pavia Sta. Barbara San Miguel Oton Iloilo City Source : WQMA ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM The Iloilo-Batiano River Basin

9. Land UseArea Covered (km 2) Percentage Residential37.2736.9 Commercial4.874.8 Industrial4.044.0 Institutional1.811.8 Agricultural45.0044.6 Fishponds2.012.0 PUD3.073.0 Transport/Utilities0.640.6 Open/Parks1.051.0 Other Uses1.231.2 Total101.00100.0 ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM Land Use

10.  A natural harbour  Classified as Class “C” body of water (DENR DAO 90-34)  A rich breeding ground to important fish species, crustaceans, shellfish that provide sustenance and livelihood to some residents  Home to 22 mangrove species esp. Sonneratia Ovata (rare in the region)  A natural harbour  Classified as Class “C” body of water (DENR DAO 90-34)  A rich breeding ground to important fish species, crustaceans, shellfish that provide sustenance and livelihood to some residents  Home to 22 mangrove species esp. Sonneratia Ovata (rare in the region) ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM

11.  Economic Profile Source: LGU, Iloilo City Population along the river: - Iloilo City 49,392 - Oton 23,022 Barangays - 35 out of 180 barangays of Iloilo City - 8 out of 37 barangays of the Municipality of Oton Business Establishments – 2,995 ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM

12.  Economic Activities at Iloilo Port A. Shipping a. No. of Domestic Ship calls – 22,576 b. Domestic Gross Registered Tonnage – 14,835,346 c. No. of Domestic Ship calls – 182 d. Foreign Gross Registered Tonnage – 2,822,860 B. Domestic Cargo Throughput a. Inbound – 2,651,557 MT b. Outbound – 664,937 MT C. Total Domestic Passenger Traffic a. Disembarked – 1,088,248 b. Embarked – 1,131,800 Source: PPA CY 2012 ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM

13.  Economic Activities (Fisheries) BATIANO RIVER Fishery Catch : Shrimp, Crabs, Prawns, Fish Types of Fishing Gear: Punot, Tangab, Pasisihan, Talabahan, Panggal, Tarpon Income Range : P125 – 800/day Fish Catch : ranges from ½ kg to 10 kg/ day ILOILO RIVER Fishery Catch : Milkfish, Tilapia, Seabass, Spade Fish, Ten Pounder, Tarpon, Rabbit Fish, Mullets, Mangrove Snapper, Shrimp, Prawns, Crabs Types of Fishing Gear: Gill Net, Fish Coral, Motorized Push Net, Crab Lift nets Income Range : P3,780 -6,160/mo. Fish Catch : ranges from 1.5 kg to 4 kg/ day Source: Iloilo City Agriculture & Mun. Agriculture of Oton ABOUT ILOILO-BATIANO RIVER SYSTEM

14. RESOURCE UTILIZATION Fishing Aquaculture (Fish Ponds) Salt Production Spawning Area for Fisheries Transportation Port Facilities Research & Education Recreation /Tourism

15. CHALLENGES Lack Database Inventory of All Public Land Property Lines Encroachment / Obstructions along water lines Public Awareness and Advocacy Water Pollution Presence/Relocation of Informal Settlers Siltation & Sedimentation Waste Disposal and Septage Management Indiscriminate Land Use/Noncompliance of Legal Easement Lack of Public Access and Open Spaces Disaster Risks and Flooding Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Alternative Livelihood Attracting Investment Plan Loss of Biodiversity Preservation of mangroves/greenbelt Institutionalization of management structure and other mechanisms for protection and conservation of the river