ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES — In a fitting tribute to Philippine Arbor Day, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippines, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the Provincial Government of Iloilo hosted the Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI) Closeout Program on June 25, 2026, at the Casa Real Hall, Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The event gathered key decision-makers, local government units (LGUs), national agencies, and community leaders to reflect on the project's achievements in strengthening water security, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods across Iloilo Province ahead of its official completion on June 30, 2026.
The event commenced with a welcome message from Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr. The event was also attended by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 6 OIC Regional Director Engr. Anne Marie A. Delariarte, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provincial Fisheries Officer Ma. Aimee Sobrevega.
A central highlight of the program was a video presentation showcasing how IWARI’s targeted watershed and structural initiatives from 2023 to 2026 transformed local water management. Over its three-year run, the project successfully restored 540.7 million liters of water annually to local ecosystems, averaging 1.5 million liters daily.
Landscape and livelihood interventions dedicated 284.9 million liters annually to agroforestry, secured 210.8 million liters across agricultural hubs like Janiuay, New Lucena, Leon and Alimodian via small farm reservoirs, and provided 12.7 million liters to sustain local fishponds.
For direct community access, the initiative built Level 2 water systems delivering 32.4 million liters of clean tap water to households in Maasin, alongside optimized rainwater harvesting systems that capture 693,650 liters for the Ramon Tabiana District Hospital and 1.57 million liters across 17 urban areas in Iloilo City.
Following the presentation, a formal handover ceremony took place for critical infrastructure projects, where official water systems designs were transferred to the Provincial Government and Barangay recipients from Barangay Bolo and Barangay Trangka. The handover was facilitated by representatives from CRS and the Coca-Cola Foundation.
In recognition of the multi-sectoral effort driving the project's success, a joint delegation from the Coca-Cola Foundation, CRS, and the Provincial Government presented Plaques of Recognition to an extensive network of partners, including the Provincial Government of Iloilo, Iloilo City, Janiuay, Alimodian, Maasin, Leon, San Miguel, New Lucena, Oton and Cabatuan.
Recognition was also granted to the DENR-EMB and DENR-Protected Area Management Board, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Homeless People’s Federation of the Philippines, Inc., and Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU).
"The closeout event served as a powerful platform to reinforce commitments among partners to sustain and scale the gains achieved through years of strengthened collaboration," Monina Pacheco, Grant Portfolio Manager of the Coca-Cola Foundation, delivered the message on behalf of the donor. She emphasized the foundation's dedication to supporting shared water security goals.
Delivering the closing message and synthesis, Ma. Concepcion "Chin" Nobleza, Head of Programming for CRS Philippines, emphasized that the project's true success extends beyond physical milestones to long-term systemic change.
"Today, we have clear evidence that investments in watersheds, nature-based solutions, and community action create real and lasting benefits," Nobleza said. "Beyond these numbers, the true legacy of IWARI is the stronger collaboration among communities, local governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.
Today is not an ending—it is a new beginning where the lessons, partnerships, and successes of IWARI will continue to guide our collective actions.”
Following her remarks, all participants engaged in a symbolic commitment signing to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative's interventions.
Text from IWARI
📷: PGENRO-Province of Iloilo