ILOILO City – A bill filed in Congress could transform the future of Iloilo City’s southern shoreline, stripping away a decades-old restriction that classified the Molo and Arevalo coastal stretch as park land and reclassifying it instead as alienable and disposable property ready for urban development.
House Bill No. 4298, now pending in the House of Representatives, seeks to repeal Republic Act 4767 of 1966, which declared the boulevard and adjoining shoreline areas of the two districts as “Iloilo City Park.”
The measure points out that the lands are no longer functioning as a park but have long been home to families, businesses, and communities.
“In reality, these areas have long ceased to function as a park,” the explanatory note stated. “They are now part of the city’s urban landscape, with families, businesses, and communities who deserve security of tenure. Reclassifying these lands will legalize ownership, allow lawful titling, and open opportunities for investment.”
If passed, the bill will empower the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), together with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Iloilo City Government, to conduct surveys and verify the properties.
The parcels may then be disposed of to qualified applicants under the Public Land Act, prioritizing actual occupants with proof of good-faith possession and development.
The reclassification is expected to bring fiscal and social benefits. Legal ownership and property titles would expand Iloilo City’s tax base, providing fresh revenue for public services, infrastructure, and facilities, according to bill proponent Cong. Julienne Baronda.
Urban planners have noted the bill’s alignment with Iloilo City’s fast-paced growth, offering a framework for legal and orderly development as the population rises and housing and business demands surge.
Stakeholders, however, are divided — many residents welcome the possibility of securing long-awaited titles, while some warn that unchecked urbanization could threaten shoreline ecosystems.
Should the bill be enacted, the DENR is mandated to issue implementing rules within 60 days, setting in motion a land-use shift that could dramatically reshape Iloilo City’s southern coast./PN
