The Iloilo River is the "biggest septic tank of Iloilo City" according to Bayan Muna, because it has been the "repository of an estimated one million cubic meters of untreated wastewater from households, business enterprises and industries."

Bayan Muna's statement through Jory Porquia, was supported by several studies on the Iloilo River including the environmental investigation mission that was conducted by Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) and the Center for Environmental Concerns - Philippines in 2000.

Porquia said the First International River Summit that will be held in Iloilo City on May 30 to June 1 is nothing but a greenwashing attempt by the City Government.

Greenwashing refers to deceptive "green" marketing that is used to create a perception that an organization's aim or policy is environmentally-friendly. It is also used to manipulate the popular opinion to support otherwise questionable aims, he further explained, quoting the popular online community resource Wikipedia.

Porquia said the river development will only benefit several persons with personal interests including Senator Franklin Drilon, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and those who stand to benefit from the tourism project.

Drilon spent about P70 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to construct the 1.2-kilometer Esplanade beautification project along the Iloilo River.

"The esplanade and other river projects had nothing to do with governance, sustainable development or with river restoration, rehabilitation and protection," he said.

Porquia added the proponents of the Iloilo River Tourism Project do not even address the pollution problem despite of the environmental studies that were done in the Iloilo River.

In fact, the coordinator said, the project relocated almost 3,000 families who lost their houses and livelihood.*