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Iloilo City river a finalist in international river prize award


A river in Iloilo province is a finalist in this year's edition of an international award for implementing outstanding sustainable programs in river management.
 
The Iloilo River is one of four finalists vying for the 2013 Thiess International Riverprize award, state-run Philippines News Agency reported late Wednesday.

Sen. Franklin Drilon (2nd left) joins US Embassy officials and local stakeholders in planting mangrove saplings along the polluted 20-km Iloilo River. Alex Nuevaespaña
The achievement was relayed by Matthew Reddy, chief executive of the Brisbane-based International River Foundation, to city environment and natural resources officer Noel Hechanova, PNA said.
 
The Thiess International Riverprize is said to be among the world's most prestigious environmental awards, according to the website of the International River Foundation. 
 
An article on the International River Foundation's website also said the awards "give recognition, reward and support to those who have developed and implemented outstanding, visionary and sustainable programs in river management."
 
Rehabilitation efforts for the Iloilo-Batiano river system started in 2011, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said.
 
In May 2012, the city played host to the first international river summit, Mabilog said.
 
He added the informal settlers who used to reside along the river have been relocated to housing projects.
 
The river also became an anchor in development projects such as the Esplanade park and the construction of circumferential and radial roads and new ports for roll-on roll-off vessels.
 
Other finalists
 
The PNA said the other international river finalists include the Bolshaya River in Russia, Mara River in Kenya, and the Murray Darling Basin in Australia.
 
The winner will be announced at the 16th International River Symposium on September 16 to 23 to be held in Brisbane.
 
The award comes with a prize of one million Australian dollars which may be used for projects, PNA reported.—KG, GMA News
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