Mayor Eyes Guided Planting to Boost Urban Green Cover

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas said they are studying a “guided planting” approach to expand the city’s green ecosystem, particularly in heat-prone urban zones, as part of its response to rising temperatures and climate change.

“We will look into different zones in the city, check the heat index, and target our tree-planting activities in areas with high heat index,” she said Monday.

The mayor noted that while tree-planting efforts are ongoing along Sunset Boulevard, there is now a need to refocus on highly urbanized areas such as the City Proper.

She said she has instructed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to collect and analyze data.

This includes identifying heat hotspots, selecting appropriate planting sites, and ensuring long-term tree survival for ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation.

Treñas acknowledged that while tree planting may not immediately lower temperatures, it contributes to long-term climate resilience and healthier urban environments.

“At least you have a study on the amount of time, the amount of place, this is the heat index,” she said.

“We need to solve problems that are targeted.”

“When I work, I want to have data and statistics to guide me also with the decisions,” she added.

Treñas said these targeted tree-planting efforts will also help expand the city’s green coverage, currently at 6%, far below the 30% to 40% coverage typical in other international cities.

She noted that the British Embassy Manila’s economic and climate counsellor has pledged support for Iloilo’s climate adaptation programs.

The city is also implementing Project TRANSFORM, or Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement, a flagship initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

To support these efforts, the city government has allocated PHP5 million from its disaster risk reduction and management fund, focusing on green-blue-gray infrastructure to mitigate climate and disaster risks.

“We have a lot of private citizens involved and they have already worked on the framework,” Treñas said.

“I am also asking for help on the action plan,” she added.