Mayor orders collaboration on flooding issues

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has directed the City Engineers Office and the City Architect’s Office to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 regarding ongoing drainage projects and pumping stations.

The move follows the mayor’s concern about persistent flooding in the city despite substantial investments in drainage infrastructure.

“I am instructing the CEO and the CAO to coordinate with the DPWH Regional Office on the many drainage projects and pumping stations in the city undertaken by them. We need to understand why there is still flooding in the city despite the hundreds of millions spent on drainage,” Treñas said in a statement on July 26.

He further expressed his desire to review the master development plan prepared by the DPWH during his time in Congress.

“We have been told that the rains will be stronger after El Niño. We need to be doubly prepared,” he added.

In response to the mayor’s directive, Joel Gerasmia of the City Engineer’s Office stated that they have initiated communication with DPWH Region 6.

The objective is to discuss and identify permanent solutions to the flooding issues in Iloilo City.

Gerasmia acknowledged that coordination has been lacking, which has contributed to the inefficiency of current drainage systems.

“Our only problem is coordination to address the outfall or the large drainage system. There are projects underway, but they have not been completed in a way that allows proper water flow,” he explained in an interview.

He also indicated the office’s willingness to cooperate on increasing the number of inlets if necessary.

The City Engineer’s Office continues to urge residents to adhere to proper waste disposal practices to prevent blockages in the drainage system.