The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) has approved an ordinance establishing Coastal Greenbelt Zones (CGZ) in Iloilo City, a move aimed at strengthening the protection of mangrove forests and enhancing the city’s resilience against climate change and coastal hazards.
Passed during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, the ordinance was authored by Councilor Romel Duron.
Under the measure, Coastal Greenbelt Zones are defined as specific strips of natural or artificially established coastal vegetation, extending at least 100 meters inland from the shoreline. Composed primarily of mangrove and beach forest species, these greenbelts are intended to prevent coastal erosion and lessen the impact of storm surges, flooding, and other natural coastal hazards on communities and infrastructure.
The ordinance initially covers around 110 hectares of mangrove forests in Barangays Bito-on and Balabago in Jaro District, Hinactacan in La Paz District, and other mangrove areas identified in the city’s Coastal Resources Management Plan.
“There is a need to establish these mangrove areas as a Coastal Greenbelt Zone to ensure their proper protection and rehabilitation towards improved productivity, biodiversity, and full potential as coastal defenses against the adverse impacts of extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change,” the ordinance states.
To preserve the protected areas, the ordinance prohibits the construction of permanent or temporary structures within the Coastal Greenbelt Zones. It also bans coastal reclamation, dumping of filling materials, artificial land expansion, and other activities that could damage the mangrove ecosystem.
Also prohibited are the collection of mangrove propagules and seedlings, pruning or cutting of mangroves, firewood gathering, solid waste dumping, conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds or reclamation sites, dragging seine nets beneath mangrove canopies, and destructive fishing methods such as the use of dynamite, cyanide, and fine-mesh nets.
However, the ordinance allows limited fishing activities by registered artisanal fisherfolk, gleaners, and fishers residing near the protected areas, provided that their activities do not damage the mangrove ecosystem or involve the installation of permanent or temporary structures within the conservation zone.
Violators face penalties under the ordinance. Individuals may be fined PHP2,500 for each offense or imprisoned for one to two months, at the discretion of the court. Commercial establishments may be fined PHP4,000 per offense, while responsible individuals may face imprisonment of up to six months and the cancellation of the establishment’s business permit.
To oversee the implementation and management of the Coastal Greenbelt Zones, the ordinance creates a Coastal Greenbelt Zone Committee to be chaired by the city mayor.
The city government will also allocate PHP5 million to support the ordinance’s implementation, including capacity-building programs, public education campaigns, enforcement, and monitoring efforts. (via PNA)
