BEYOND being just an environmental campaign, the growing movement to preserve Isla Verde in the Iloilo River is a striking example of the power of public engagement in shaping government policy. What began as a seemingly technical decision about flood control quickly evolved into a city-wide conversation about heritage, ecology, and the people’s right to be heard.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had reportedly considered removing Isla Verde — a natural islet within Barangay Navais in Mandurriao, Iloilo City— as part of a proposed river improvement project. But when news of this plan reached the public, Ilonggos didn’t remain silent. They organized. They voiced out. They fought back, not with hostility, but with conviction.
Environmental groups, residents, paddlers, cyclists, and local influencers amplified their message: Isla Verde is not an obstruction — it is a vital ecological and cultural asset. Their online campaigns, open statements, and coordinated actions caught the attention of city leaders. The response was swift and encouraging. Mayor Jerry Treñas convened a high-level meeting with DPWH, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), scientists, and environmental advocates. He signaled a preference for a more sustainable option: dredging around Isla Verde rather than destroying it.
This shift in tone and policy direction shows a vital lesson for local governance — when citizens speak up, and government listens, better outcomes follow.
In a time when many feel disillusioned by bureaucracy or discouraged by token consultations, the Isla Verde case demonstrates that civic engagement, when sustained and united, can move institutions. It shows that policymaking need not be a top-down exercise. On the contrary, solutions that are informed by community values and expert knowledge tend to be more balanced, inclusive, and durable.
What’s happening in Iloilo City must not be treated as an exception. It must be the rule. The city government should build on this momentum by institutionalizing meaningful platforms for public participation — from urban planning and environmental policy to disaster preparedness and budget consultations. Civic groups, schools, barangays, and even ordinary netizens have shown they are ready to engage. It is now up to policymakers to provide clear, consistent, and constructive avenues for their voices to be heard.
Isla Verde may have sparked the conversation, but the bigger story is this: Ilonggos are reclaiming their rightful space in shaping their city’s future. And if this model of responsive, participatory governance holds, Iloilo will not only preserve a river islet — it will build a stronger, more democratic city.
