ILOILO CITY — Mayor Raisa Treñas affixed her signature to the Coastal Greenbelt Zone Ordinance on July 8, 2026, cementing a landmark environmental policy that bans reclamation and mandates a 100‑meter nature buffer along the city’s entire coastline. The signing transforms a unanimous council vote into binding law, positioning Iloilo as a national leader in nature‑based climate resilience.
Science‑Guided IRR to Follow Immediately
The mayor announced that experts and scientists will be convened to draft evidence‑based Implementing Rules and Regulations. She stressed that the ordinance must be operationalized with precision, not left as a symbolic document. The IRR will map exact buffer boundaries, prescribe mangrove rehabilitation protocols, and define allowable non‑destructive fishing activities.
This step answers calls from environmental groups who had urged the city to pair legislative action with technical rigor. By assembling a panel of climate scientists and marine ecologists, the city ensures that every protective measure rests on empirical data. The IRR process will also involve public consultations with coastal communities.
Blanket Reclamation Ban and Strict Penalties
The ordinance imposes a total prohibition on all coastal reclamation projects and artificial land expansions. Any structure illegally erected within the 100‑meter buffer zone will be classified as a public nuisance and subjected to immediate summary demolition at the owner’s expense. Individual violators face fines of ₱2,500 or imprisonment of up to two months.
Corporate offenders risk steeper penalties, including a ₱4,000 fine, up to six months of imprisonment for responsible officers, and permanent cancellation of business permits. The enforcement framework deputizes the Cebu Port Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units to monitor entry points and intercept violations.
Mangrove Protection Anchors the Greenbelt
The ordinance shields at least 100 hectares of mangrove forests, with priority areas in Barangays Bito‑on and Balabago in Jaro, Hinactacan in La Paz, and the Molo Boulevard coastline. These mangrove stands function as natural storm barriers, absorbing wave energy and reducing flood risks for densely populated inland neighborhoods.
The law legally safeguards registered artisanal fisherfolk and gleaners who rely on non‑destructive methods such as crab lifts, hook‑and‑line, and fish traps. By preserving marine nurseries, the greenbelt sustains fish stocks and protects the livelihoods of coastal families while keeping the ecosystem intact.
Project TRANSFORM Gains a Legislative Backbone
Mayor Treñas linked the new ordinance to the city’s existing environmental initiative, Project TRANSFORM, which has already expanded mangrove planting, green open spaces, and pocket gardens across Iloilo. The CGZ ordinance provides a permanent legal mandate that amplifies these greening efforts beyond a single administration’s term.
The synchronized approach combines on‑the‑ground tree‑planting with enforceable zoning, ensuring that restored areas cannot be cleared again. This institutional shield guarantees that reforested mangroves will mature into full‑fledged coastal defenses, benefiting generations of Ilonggos far beyond the present.
A Victory Against Encroachment and Fake Titles
The ordinance gained urgency after a city council probe uncovered fictitious homestead patents covering roughly 50 hectares of mangrove spaces in Jaro and La Paz. These fraudulent titles had enabled illegal conversion into private developments and fishponds. The new law effectively nullifies such encroachments and restores public ownership of protected coastal land.
Mayor Treñas acknowledged the overwhelming public support and thanked the city council for its unanimous passage of the measure. She described the ordinance as a shared victory for every Ilonggo who values clean air, safe shores, and a livable city. The signing ceremony capped years of advocacy from community organizations and environmental defenders.
