Iloilo flooding, rain now the ‘new normal’ – governor

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday, July 24, said persistent rain and flooding can no longer be considered “extraordinary” in the province, stressing the need for sustained monitoring and long-term adaptation to climate change.

Speaking at his regular press conference, Defensor said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has intensified its flood response following weeks of monsoon rains worsened by Tropical Storm Dante and Typhoon Emong.

“This is now Iloilo’s ‘new normal.’ We can no longer treat heavy rains and flooding as rare or extraordinary events,” Defensor said. “Like COVID-19, we need to adapt. That includes improving our monitoring, communications, and resilience.”

As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the PDRRMO reported flooding in 22 barangays across four municipalities — including 12 in Dumangas, four in Tigbauan, and three each in Leganes and Maasin.

In total, the flooding has affected 3,003 individuals, though no casualties have been reported so far. One person, however, was reported missing due to drowning in Tigbauan.

Floodwaters also submerged parts of Sta. Barbara and Zarraga, according to the PDRRMO.

The provincial government recorded an estimated PHP2.255 million in agricultural losses, including PHP2.091 million in rice crop damage in Lambunao, Leganes, Oton, Pototan, San Joaquin, San Miguel, and Tubungan, and PHP164,215 in corn crop damage in Concepcion.

Defensor stressed that instead of focusing solely on rescue efforts, the province must aim for zero casualties by preemptively clearing danger zones and relocating residents from flood-prone areas.

“It will flood every year. When we look at our bottom line of zero casualties and the corresponding actions, we shouldn’t be doing rescue [activities], because that would mean we are managing it well,” he said.

He cited Executive Order No. 222, series of 2022, which institutionalized the Purok Resilience Program — a relocation initiative that moves vulnerable households to socialized housing in safer areas.

A 30-unit housing project in Batad, worth PHP30 million, is currently halfway through construction, according to a July 8 update from the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

“There shouldn’t be anyone living in danger zones. We’re trying to do that, but our program is relatively new and we need resources to make it happen,” Defensor said.

To boost disaster preparedness, the governor said the province is upgrading its communication systems to reach remote areas more effectively and is supporting municipal governments in strengthening local DRRM capabilities.

He also announced that the provincial government would soon begin clearing waterways — starting with the Batiano River, which flows through Oton and Iloilo City — as part of a broader flood mitigation effort.