THE NEWLY-INAUGURATED Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, a five-kilometer stretch linking Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao, Iloilo City to Barangay Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo is being hailed as a landmark infrastructure project that will enhance connectivity, boost economic activity, and promote tourism in Iloilo. At P2.261 billion, this project is a significant public investment — one that prompts the question: Do all big-ticket projects guarantee a return that justifies their cost?
The boulevard is being touted as an example of how pork barrel funds can be used responsibly. Indeed, the project boasts modern, eco-friendly features such as bike paths, solar-powered LED lights, and recreational spaces. On paper, it is a showcase of strategic urban planning. However, while the benefits of new infrastructure are often clear in concept, their true impact is only realized in execution. For every project of this scale, it is important to assess whether its long-term gains will outweigh its financial and social costs.
The key to ensuring that large-scale infrastructure projects serve the public is proper planning, transparency, and accountability. Iloilo has seen both the best and worst of infrastructure spending in recent years. While some projects, like the Iloilo River Esplanade, the Iloilo International Airport, and circumferential road have become engines of growth, others have either failed to meet their intended purpose or have been plagued by inefficiencies. Take, for example, the unfinished flyovers which remain a source of public frustration due to delays.
For the Sunset Boulevard to truly serve the public, it must not be left to chance. Proper maintenance, strategic land-use planning, and inclusive economic policies must complement the infrastructure. The road may be open, but what next? Without clear development policies, the surrounding areas could fall prey to speculative land-buying, where only large corporations benefit while local communities are displaced. The promise of increased investment must translate into actual job creation for Ilonggos, not just rising property values that benefit only a select few.
Public investment in infrastructure is a responsibility, not just a ribbon-cutting opportunity. To maximize the benefits of the boulevard, city and provincial leaders must develop policies that regulate land use, attract responsible investors, and integrate the project into a broader economic development strategy. More importantly, public accountability must remain central. The public must be assured that tax-funded projects are not mere political legacies but enduring assets that improve daily life.
The Iloilo Sunset Boulevard is an ambitious project with great potential. But progress should never be measured merely by the roads we build — it must also be seen in how well these projects uplift the lives of ordinary citizens. The real success of this project will not be in its scenic esplanades or smooth concrete but in whether it truly becomes a catalyst for equitable and inclusive growth.
