NO MASTERPLAN, NO ALLOCATION: People’s Meeting reveals Iloilo City’s lack of flood master plan, 2026 budget

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The Iloilo City government has yet to formulate its own flood governance master plan and has no allocated budget for flood mitigation projects in 2026, despite legal obligations under the Local Government Code to address persistent urban flooding.

Councilor Rex Sarabia, chair of the City Council Committee on Appropriations, admitted during a People’s Meeting that the city has no flood master plan and confirmed that no funds have been earmarked for flood-related projects in the 2026 city budget.

“As chairman of appropriations, I have to be candid with you. Based on JICA studies, we have billions of pesos in backlogs. I admit that we have not allocated funds for flood-related projects in 2026,” Sarabia said during the open forum, which he attended unannounced but was welcomed by organizers.

Sarabia, a known critic of Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control initiatives, had previously filed a resolution urging the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate alleged “ghost” projects.

However, during the meeting, Sarabia praised Baronda’s office for organizing the dialogue in partnership with DPWH, describing it as an inclusive and informative initiative.

“I congratulate the office of the lone district representative for this orderly and informative forum. Ang problema sa pagbaha dapat ugyonan naton tanan agod mahatagan solusyon. Kinahanglan ta gid bulig sang national, local, kag tanan nga sektor. We need to co-own this problem because it is everyone’s problem,” he later posted on Facebook.

Councilor Jose Maria de la Llana commended the forum for creating a space where constituents could raise concerns and engage in problem-solving.

“Maayo gid ni siya nga tikang para transparent man kita diri sa siyudad kag maka-address sang aton nga flooding problem. I think this is an opportunity for all of us, not only to blame but to find a common solution,” he said.

Former Barangay Captain Rex Teves of Barangay Divinagracia criticized the city government’s inaction, lamenting, “Considering that the City of Iloilo, wala gid, pangkapol-kapol lang ubra nila eh. Sa inyo kami madangop kay wala man action ang City of Iloilo.”

DPWH Undersecretary for Planning, PPP, and NBCDO Atty. Nicasio “Nick” Conti lauded the multi-sectoral effort, citing discussions on existing master plans and both ongoing and proposed flood control projects across the city’s seven districts.

He also expressed admiration for the San Isidro People’s Center, a Baronda initiative, saying, “I’ve been to different barangays but we never had this kind of building in our town. Kaya sabi ko, copyrighted ba ito? Kokopyahin ko ito. Yung magandang halimbawa, ating palaganapin upang pakinabangan ng tao.”

Attendees learned that two major technical studies — the 1995 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) flood control study and the DPWH-funded Metro Iloilo Urban Drainage Improvement and Related Works Master Plan by Sison Engineering — have outlined flood mitigation strategies, but the city government has yet to adopt them into a formal plan.

The JICA study led to Stage I of the Iloilo Flood Control Project, which built defenses along the Jaro and Iloilo Rivers, but left many low-lying areas like Buntatala, Mansaya, Dungon, and Calajunan exposed to flooding.

The Sison Engineering plan, which builds on the JICA project, includes climate-resilient drainage systems designed to protect 55 still-vulnerable barangays.

Councilor de la Llana challenged DPWH Iloilo District Engineer Roy Pacanan during the forum about a deleted Facebook post from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that allegedly referred to Iloilo flood projects as “delayed at palpak.”

“Kindly check the Facebook of President Bongbong Marcos. Wala akong nakikita doon na delayed at palpak. Baka hindi kayo updated,” Pacanan replied.

Pacanan said he submitted supporting project documents to the National Bureau of Investigation for verification.

DPWH Region 6 Director Jose Al Fruto said PHP 1.7 billion worth of flood control projects remain ongoing and recalled the origin of flood mitigation in Iloilo through the JICA plan and the 4.75-kilometer Jaro Floodway.

Fruto explained that climate change has worsened rainfall and urban flooding and stressed the need for broader solutions beyond infrastructure.

“Indi man gani kinahanglan nga puro lang infrastruksiyon ang lantawon naton. Kaya bala naton limpyohan ang existing drainage? Ibabalik bala naton ang mga nadula nga creeks?” he said.

Fruto urged local collaboration, integrating Project NOAH data and coordinating with barangays because “ang tubig wala sang ginasanto nga political boundaries.”

Barangay Captain Efren Cenayo of Don Esteban criticized the lack of consultation with barangay officials.

Pacanan responded that consultations were conducted and clarified that no funding had been released for the Budburan Creek project, which was terminated due to the presence of informal settlers.

Rep. Baronda called for unity, saying, “Let us talk and provide solutions. We are the solution. Together, we are the solution.”

She acknowledged that even her PHP 4-billion initiative cannot end flooding overnight but emphasized the importance of consistent efforts.

“Bisan matapos ini akon nga term, indi pa gyapon ang baha, pero ang importante masuguran naton,” she said.

Baronda said Iloilo City has no allocation for flood projects in 2026 but short-term measures such as dredging and declogging are in motion in coordination with DPWH Region 6 and the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO).

“Nag-request kita sang schedule sang region kag district para sa declogging. Wala pa man kaabot ang suction machine, pero we appeal to ICDEO nga may equipment na. All our barangay officials have to do is send a letter request to my office or to the ICDEO. We will help our barangays,” she said.

DPWH officials assured that support will continue until equipment becomes available.

The city needs PHP 14 billion to complete Phase II of the JICA plan and PHP 7.8 billion for the full implementation of the Iloilo City Comprehensive Flood Control Master Plan, totaling PHP 21.8 billion.

Both plans have faced delays due to funding shortfalls and the reclassification of responsibilities between national and local agencies.

Baronda stressed the need for accountability and transparency, stating, “As your Lone District Congresswoman, I assure you — no ghost projects under my watch.”

She also reminded barangay leaders that drainage and flood management are local responsibilities under the Local Government Code of 1991 and that national agencies only augment what is primarily a local duty.

“Our national government agencies have the main responsibility over national roads, while local roads, creeks, canals, and waterways are supposed to be taken care of by the city government or the barangays. However, we are here to help, to augment. We need to unite to put an end to the suffering of the Ilonggos every time there is a heavy rainfall or typhoon,” she said. (ADV)