Iloilo City declares state of calamity due to monsoons and cyclones

Iloilo City declared a state of calamity on Wednesday following approval by its city council due to the impact of southwest monsoons and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod authorized the use of PHP21.5 million from the quick response fund for relocation sites in Barangays West Haboghabog and San Juan at PHP20 million; food assistance for displaced families worth PHP1.4 million; and seed procurement for affected farmers amounting to PHP100,000.

Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) shows that 56,881 individuals were affected by flooding and storm surges as of July 28, meeting the criteria for a calamity declaration under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Donna Magno explained to the city council that the number of affected individuals exceeded the threshold set by the National DRRMC guidelines.

The total number of exposed population from flood-prone barangays and those at risk of storm surge was recorded at 214,304.

Mayor Raisa Treñas emphasized long-term solutions like establishing permanent housing with basic amenities in relocation sites.