ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICLHO) has flagged what it calls a growing “encroachment crisis” near Sunset Boulevard, as the number of informal settlers and illegal structures mushrooming around the linear park has now reached 155.
City officials warned that if left unchecked, the expansion of makeshift houses threatens not only the boulevard’s scenic view but also sanitation, traffic, and disaster preparedness in one of Iloilo’s most ambitious urban renewal projects.
“Ginaka-alarma sang opisina ang amat-amat naman nga pagdamo sang mga illegal structures malapit sa Sunset Boulevard,” the ICLHO said in its September 9 advisory.
The office explained that many of the houses were built on private properties, but their closeness to the park makes them highly visible and disruptive.
“Apisar nga natukod ining mga illegal structures sa private property, tama gid ini sila kalapit sa Sunset Boulevard nga naga tuga ini sang obstruction sa kabilogan nga view sang linear park,” it added.
A census and tagging operation on February 18–19 recorded 139 families and structures. But follow-up monitoring this month revealed 16 more, pushing the total to 155.
The ICLHO is preparing to coordinate with property owners to determine whether the settlers were permitted to stay.
Officials stressed that the city is keeping a close watch, given the broader implications of allowing settlements to spread in a critical development zone.
Sunset Boulevard, formally known as the Iloilo River North Bank Road, is a P2.261-billion, 4.99-kilometer four-lane thoroughfare stretching from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao district to Barangay Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo. Opened to the public in January this year, it was designed not only to decongest the busy Iloilo–Antique Road but also to serve as a premier public space with pedestrian sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and a 1.58-kilometer extension of the famed Iloilo River Esplanade.
Viewing decks along the route have made it both a functional road and a scenic attraction.
The boulevard is considered a centerpiece of Iloilo City’s flood mitigation and urban renewal strategy, with planners envisioning it as a showcase of green infrastructure and sustainable urban design.
Authorities warned that preserving its open spaces and linear park concept is crucial for recreation, tourism, and environmental sustainability.
The ICLHO said unchecked encroachment could undermine years of planning and investment, reducing the project’s long-term value for the city.
Although City Hall has yet to outline relocation or clearing operations, the ICLHO said it would push for immediate dialogue with landowners, affected families, and other stakeholders to balance property rights, humanitarian needs, and Iloilo’s broader development goals./PN
