Iloilo Sunset Boulevard fully opens
Opened to vehicular traffic on Friday following a ceremonial blessing, Iloilo Sunset Boulevard (Iloilo River North Bank Road) is seen as a transformative infrastructure that harmoniously blends green urbanism with zonal development.
“A monumental achievement, the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard is a landmark project born out of our dreams to make Iloilo City a better place for every Ilonggo family,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas in a message read by his daughter, Raisa Treñas.
Envisioned by former Senator Franklin Drilon in partnership with the Iloilo City Government and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Region 6 (DPWH-6), this eco-friendly, 5-kilometer, four-lane road features dedicated recreational spaces, including bike lanes, Iloilo River viewing decks, a walkway esplanade with native flora, and solar-powered LED lights.
The power-packed event was graced by Senator Drilon, DPWH-6 Assistant Regional Director Engr. Al Fruto, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, and other officials from DPWH and the city government.
“During my tenure as a senator, I made it a personal mission to ensure that every peso of my allocations would contribute to the development and progress of our country, particularly Iloilo. This boulevard is just one of the many projects that demonstrate where my funds, or pork barrel, went throughout my tenure,” Drilon said.
Mayor Treñas noted that this vital link from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao to Barangay Cagbang in Oton is a valuable contribution to building a sustainable Ilonggo community. It will also pave the way for a new era of land development in the area.
“With the new zonal development resulting from this road network, we can expect more investments and employment opportunities,” added the local chief executive.
It was also announced that the amended Real Property Tax (RPT) incentives for special areas, such as coastal, radial, and circumferential roads, now include Sunset Boulevard, with a five-year incentive program for new investors.
“Ang Iloilo City Government, sa idalom sang Treñas brand of leadership, padayon nga magahatag sang mabaskog nga suporta sa tanan nga mga proyekto para sa kaayuhan sang mga Ilonggo,” said Raisa, on a personal note, as she urged Ilonggos to embrace this new chapter with pride and determination to achieve great things for Iloilo City.
Commenced in 2021, the project has a total appropriation of ₱1.591 billion. Of this, ₱1.261 billion was initiated during the term of Senator Drilon, with an additional ₱300 million released in 2023 and 2024.
This project was conceptualized to interconnect the road networks of Iloilo City, Antique, and Iloilo in anticipation of the construction of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.