THE FUROR over the proposed P150-million footbridge across the Iloilo River goes beyond mere dispute over engineering. It is a test of how well government listens to its people.
From the start, opposition has been strong and clear. Civic groups, environmental advocates, and the city’s own mayor have raised their voices in defense of the river’s ecology and heritage. They are not rejecting development for its own sake. Rather, they are demanding that public works be rooted in genuine need, sustainability, and respect for community priorities.
This is the essence of democracy. Infrastructure, no matter how ambitious, is meaningless if it alienates the very people it is meant to serve. When residents warn that a project is redundant — given that the Carpenter’s Bridge already connects the same points — their concerns should not be brushed aside. When environmental groups flag the absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate, their caution should not be dismissed as obstructionism.
Accountability begins with listening. Too often, projects are conceived in distant boardrooms, presented as faits accomplis, and pushed through despite community resistance. The footbridge debate reminds us that development must never be a top-down imposition. It should be a collaborative endeavor, where citizens, experts, and officials work together to safeguard both progress and public trust.
Beyond that, Iloilo’s case also underscores a larger national lesson: communities across the Philippines are becoming more assertive about how public funds are used, especially when environmental and heritage concerns are at stake. Ignoring these voices does not just erode trust; it breeds resentment and cynicism, undermining the very spirit of participatory governance our democracy aspires to uphold.
The Iloilo River is not only an ecological sanctuary but also a civic landmark shaped by years of rehabilitation. Its future cannot be decided by bureaucratic fiat alone. It demands the vigilance of a community determined to ensure that every peso spent reflects its values and aspirations.
In this case, the message from Iloilo’s people is unmistakable: “We want growth, but not at the cost of our river, our heritage, and our voice.” Government would do well to heed it.
Listening to the people is not a hindrance to development — it is its strongest foundation.
