Iloilo City seeks national action on flood-linked projects

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By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Iloilo City government is calling on the national offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to intervene in two infrastructure projects allegedly worsening flooding in several barangays in the Jaro district.

In letters dated July 22, 2025, Acting City Legal Officer Joseph Edward Areño reiterated to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan the city’s concerns over the rehabilitation of the Buntatala Creek and the construction of an access road with a bike lane in Barangay Tagbak.

These concerns were first raised in an earlier letter dated July 18.

A similar letter was sent to DENR Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, highlighting the same issues.

Both projects, implemented by the DPWH–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO), were identified by the Iloilo City Drainage Task Force and several barangay captains as contributing to flooding in Balantang, Buntatala, Camalig, Dungon Creek, Lanit, Mohon, and Tagbak.

The letters also raised concerns about reclamation activities along Buntatala and Dungon Creeks, the Iloilo River, Barangay Mohon in Arevalo district, and other connecting waterways.

These activities are part of the Slope Protection with Bike Lane project and a separate esplanade and bike lane project behind the Tagbak Terminal.

The slope protection structures were reported to be obstructing natural drainage, worsening the impact of heavy rainfall on surrounding communities.

Also cited was a separate letter from residents of Zone 1, Barangay Balantang, who reported severe flooding after a rain event on July 12 and urged immediate action on the problems caused by the Tagbak esplanade.

Areño outlined three specific requests to the DENR and DPWH secretaries:
– A prompt and thorough investigation of the projects;
– A comprehensive reassessment of their planning and execution;
– Close coordination with the city government and affected barangays.

Beyond flooding, Areño also cited the recent death of a 13-year-old boy found in Buntatala Creek, believed to have drowned.

He emphasized that the projects are located in critical drainage zones—Buntatala, Dungon, Nabitasan, and Bakhaw Creeks—which serve as natural catch basins.

“The said projects fall on portions of the Buntatala, Dungon, Nabitasan, and Bakhaw Creeks—long stretches of water barangays that actually serve as catch basins for water ponding and drainage, thereby impeding the natural course of water and consequently causing flooding,” Areño wrote.

“The recent discovery of the lifeless body of a 13-year-old boy at Buntatala Creek, which appeared to have drowned, has exacerbated the situation—necessitating urgent, prompt, and firm action to prevent further similar incidents and promote the safety of the people, especially as we anticipate more typhoons in the coming months,” he added.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, in a statement on Tuesday, July 22, said she is considering issuing a cease-and-desist order or ordering the demolition of the Buntatala Creek access road project.