Iloilo City passes ordinance protecting mangroves
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) has approved an ordinance establishing Coastal Greenbelt Zones (CGZ) in Iloilo City, a move aimed at strengthening the protection of mangrove forests and enhancing the city’s resilience against climate change and coastal hazards.
Passed during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, the ordinance was authored by Councilor Romel Duron. Under the measure, Coastal Greenbelt Zones are defined as specific strips of natural or artificially established coastal vegetation, extending at least 100 meters inland from the shoreline.
Composed primarily of mangrove and beach forest species, these greenbelts are intended to prevent coastal erosion and lessen the impact of storm surges, flooding, and other natural coastal hazards on communities and infrastructure.
The ordinance 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.
“There is a need to establish these mangrove areas as a Coastal Greenbelt Zone to ensure their proper protection and rehabilitation towards improved productivity, biodiversity, and full potential as coastal defenses against the adverse impacts of extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change,” the ordinance states.
To preserve the protected areas, the ordinance prohibits the construction of permanent or temporary structures within the Coastal Greenbelt Zones. It also bans coastal reclamation, dumping of filling materials, artificial land expansion, and other activities that could damage the mangrove ecosystem.
