The city government here will talk with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) about a possible partial turnover of the newly-opened Iloilo Sunset Boulevard to ensure its maintenance.
Engr. Neil Ravena, head of the General Services Office, said they need to set rules and guidelines, including on anti-littering, allowing consumption of alcoholic drinks and managing activities in the area.
He said they also got instructions from Mayor Jerry Treñas to install waste bins and plants in the area.
“The Sunset Boulevard is a unique infrastructure since it’s a combination of road and linear park. Its road component has an equal width with the pedestrian and the bike lane. It also has a planting strip,” Ravena said in an interview on Wednesday.
The Sunset Boulevard spans five kilometers from Iloilo City to the adjacent municipality of Oton.
Ravena said the Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Oton is also coordinating with him. Among their agreements were the use of uniform planting materials and waste management.
“It is proper that we collaborate with them so that we can discuss. The rules and regulations we set should be uniform, considering that a bigger stretch of the boulevard is on Oton’s side,” he added.
Ravena deployed his team from Calahunan to look into the garbage disposal and another team for beautification and taking care of plants.
“This is a very good infrastructure. Hopefully, we will have a sense of ownership as Ilonggos to protect Sunset Boulevard. It should be free from litter. Let us protect the plants,” he said.
The Sunset Boulevard opened to vehicular traffic on Jan. 24. It was opened to joggers in June last year. (PNA)
