BACOLOD City – The walkway along the Lupit River in this capital city is seen to be at par with Iloilo City’s river esplanade.
The construction of the P40-million walkway is ongoing. It is projected to be completed before the MassKara Festival in October, City District Engineer Abraham Villareal said.
“The esplanade once it [is] completed, at least,may pantapatnasa Iloilo,” Villareal stressed.
The walkway, which will serve as a recreational spot for the public, isexpected to boost local tourism, he added.
It will make domestic and foreign tourists “enjoy the very good scenery of the riverbanks,” Villareal also said.
When completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways will turn over the project – the first of its kind in Bacolod – to the local government unit.
Once this happens, Villareal said the city government must impose an ordinance aimed at preserving the structure.
The Iloilo Esplanade (Esplanade 1), some 1.2 kilometers long, was formally opened on Aug. 19, 2012 as part of efforts to rehabilitate the Iloilo River and enhance its tourism and economic potentials. Built at a cost of P58.7 million, it stretched from Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue to Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurriao district.
The area is now a popular recreational space for walking, jogging, open-air dining, and venue for river water sports.
Across the Iloilo Esplanade 1 on the other side of the Iloilo River is the Esplanade 2.
The esplanade is currently being expanded./PN
