Due to the rapid urbanization and growth in the city, the river has seen an uptick in unregulated activities along its waters throughout the years. With this, the Iloilo River Development Master Plan (2003) was created to address the multi-sectoral aspect critical to sustainable river development. Such issues were identified and subsequently targeted:

• Water pollution
• Reduction in mangrove area coverage
• Congested waterways
• Informal settlers in the area
• Lack of public access to the river

The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council spearheaded the implementation of the Master Plan. The following issues were addressed, and with the corresponding interventions/actions per issue:

Addressing water pollution:

• Promotion of low-cost wastewater treatment technologies to reduce water pollution, with no less than 4 million liters of wastewater avoided daily. Adopters include: 7 hospitals
   
• Passage of City Septage Management Ordinance to remedy poorly designed and constructed septic tanks.
   
• Conducting regular river clean up – a private-public partnership, averaging 12 tons removed from the river every month. Agencies involved include: DENR, CENRO, Barangays, Schools, and NGOs.
   
• Removal and relocation of the old slaughterhouse, one of the major pollutants, away from the river area.
   
• Removal of around 1 million cubic meters of silt through water dredging activities – headed by the DPWH with the PPA.

Addressing reduction in mangrove area coverage:

• Mangrove planting in various parts of Iloilo River to improve ecosystem productivity. A total length of 3,025 meters on both sides of the River. Agencies involved include: DENR, Barangays, LGU.
   
• Since 2010, more than 100,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted in various locations along the Iloilo River covering about 70 hectares.

Addressing the river’s congested waterways:

• Restoration of the Iloilo River Water Boundaries and its connecting creeks (e.g. Dungon Creek) through an integrated survey of property lines and cadastral survey by the Land Management Services of DENR VI and eventually demolishing violating properties and rejecting unfit filed applications.
   
• Clearing of illegal structures and obstructions in waterways, wherein a total of 10 derelicts and sunken ships were removed from the Iloilo River.
   
• Removal of illegal fish pens (total of 129).
   
• Provided alternative livelihood and assistance for affected fisher folks due to the removal of fish pens. Agencies involved include: LGUs and DSWD (through the Self-Employment Assistant–Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program).

Addressing the presence of informal settlers:

• Relocation of around 5000 informal settlers to ensure the safety of residents and reduce pollution along the river, with 4 tons of solid waste and 30,000 gallons of untreated wastewater avoided daily.
   
• Relocation to 1,000 new housing units. Various facilities have also been set up within the subdivision. Agencies involved include National Housing Authority, Iloilo City Engineer's Office, CENRO.

Addressing the lack of public access to the river and a general lack of open spaces in the City:

• Development of walkways and additions of natural landscaping wherein several trees and shrubbery provide the area with shade and a serene environment for various physical activities.
   
• Other structures such as benches and viewing decks were also added to provide more social spaces for visitors.

The Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council (IBRDC) has no inherent funding of its own but is rather the governing body that formulates and implements policies for Iloilo City’s river system. All stakeholder plans for the Iloilo River, from public to private, are developed and implemented with the approval of the council. Thus, stakeholders of the IBRDC may use its resources, funding, strategies after it has been approved by the body. Moreover, the uses of these funds are governed by national policies, following strict compliance, audit and management implemented by the national and local government offices concerned. When a national government agency includes programs for the river, it coordinates and accedes to the directions of the IBRDC and is willing to restructure their funding programs, protocols and projects for the development of the river. An impressive innovation through the IBRDC initiative is the willingness of the local community, private sectors, academe, national and international partners to lend their expertise, technical assistance, manpower and skills mostly for pro-bono, and oftentimes, at a minimal or no cost. This is a testament of the council’s firmness in rehabilitating and developing the river.

As for the Iloilo River Esplanade specifically, the project was funded and constructed under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Funding sources included previous Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Various Infrastructures including Local Projects (VILP), General Appropriations Act (GAA), and the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
 

National Agencies:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Housing Authority (NHA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
 

Local Government Units/Offices:
City Government of Iloilo, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Engineer's Office (CEO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council (IBRDC), Provincial Government of Iloilo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Metro-Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC), Municipality of Oton, Barangays

Private Sector:

• Business Associations
• Private Corporations
• NGOs/Civil Society Groups
• Media
• Foreign Partners e.g. Rivers of the World Foundation

Academic Community:

• University of the Philippines Visayas
• John B. Lacson University
• St. Therese MTC
• West Visayas State University
• University of San Agustin
• Central Philippines University

Transforming the once-polluted riverbank into a vibrant, eco-friendly public space has awakened the Ilonggo spirit and has sparked various socioeconomic activities in the area. The development of Iloilo Esplanade has provided universal access to the Iloilo River, bringing a sense of local pride and ownership among Ilonggos, who hail the river project as a beloved national treasure. The Iloilo Esplanade has hosted numerous annual cultural events, festivals, and daily outdoor recreation activities, fostering community and civic pride. People from all walks of life, especially women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, can access and enjoy the variety of activities in the area.

The park has also attracted several businesses near and along the walkways, which resulted in increased property values and an increase in tourist arrivals —aiding in the city's economic growth. As a consequence of the project, relocation efforts have also been carried out at the onset, with previous informal settlers benefitting from the change through security of tenure, decent housing, access to basic amenities, freedom from disaster, and generally improved standard of living and wellbeing.

Institutionalizing the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council provided an avenue for participatory discussion and a framework for an integrated approach to sustainable river management. The Council can restructure itself into working groups to handle technical, economic, environmental, and social concerns, among others. Each specific program and project being implemented is governed by pertinent guidelines and policies set by the national government and related agencies. By principle then, we measure the success of each program/project implemented by the IBRDC based on the specific benchmarks and thresholds set by national and international standards inherent to its nature.

Due to the rapid urbanization and growth in the city, the river has seen an uptick in unregulated activities along its waters throughout the years

The Council’s plan is anchored on the belief that the sustainable use and development of Iloilo River can be achieved through collaboration, awareness raising campaigns, public participation, transparency, and accountability. Thus, what made this initiative sustainable, replicable, and cohesive was due to the participatory approach in local governance manifested through strong political will and wide-mass based support.