Iloilo Green Tunnel: A Must-See for Cyclists in the City of Love

Once again proving its status as a premier sustainable destination, Iloilo City continues to set the bar for urban greening in the Philippines. One of its most iconic features is the Green Tunnel along Diversion Road: a visionary project championed by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas to enhance the city’s "green streetscapes." Designed to improve the quality of life for residents and beautify the metropolis, this initiative has transformed a major national highway into a lush, eco-friendly corridor.

Also read: My Great Escape: 4-day Itinerary in Iloilo, the “Heart of the Philippines”

Iloilo Green Tunnel Project

On 6 Oct 2020, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas revealed that Iloilo will soon see a green tunnel along the Diversion Road. “As I roamed around the city last Sunday, I looked for possible projects to help improve the way of life of our residents, and beautify the city streets,” Treñas posted on Facebook. “I asked [our City Engineer’s Office] to make the Green Tunnel Project that aims to add green streetscapes.”

Diversion Road is famous for its award-winning 11km bike lane, a feature that solidified Iloilo’s reputation as the Bike Capital of the Philippines. To ensure the safety of cyclists, plant boxes serve as protective barriers from vehicular traffic. The Iloilo Green Tunnel now provides a refreshing canopy of shade for thousands of daily riders, effectively "softening" the concrete landscape as a vital climate change adaptation measure.

As I roamed around the city last sunday, I looked for possible projects to help improve the way of life of our…

Posted by Jerry Treñas on Tuesday, October 6, 2020

If everything goes as planned, the envisioned Iloilo Green Tunnel Project will serve as a beautiful shade for cyclists in the city. “In the absence of trees, this will help soften out concrete roads as a climate change mitigation or adaptation measure,” Treñas added.

Also read: 10 Bike Trails in and Near Quezon City

Iloilo hails as a clean and green city

The Iloilo Green Tunnel Project is not the first sustainable plan for the Iloilo. For years now, the City of Love has proven its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Thus, it has long been known as a clean and liveable metropolis.

Iloilo prides itself in several environmental laws: banning plastic straws, promoting trash segregation, implementing tree planting programs, among others. Evidently, the city preserves its spaces through these sustainable initiatives. Wastewater treatment facilities abound to protect the Iloilo River; Iloilo is also known for constructing the first green building in the Visayas Region.

In 2017, Iloilo bagged the Clean Air City Award for its sustainable development plans. And just last year, the city won the ASEAN Clean Tourist City award after proving itself as one of the most pristine spots in Southeast Asia. Along with progressive urban spaces, Iloilo has conserved its natural attractions well.

Also read: My Great Escape: 8 Fun Facts You Should Know About the Philippines’ Iloilo

We can’t wait to see the Iloilo Green Tunnel Project unfold! As we’re finding more opportunities for domestic trips, we’re definitely adding the City of Love to our bucket lists.