No reported agri damage in Iloilo due to heavy rains

By: Gerome Dalipe

DESPITE the downpour brought about by Tropical Depression Egay on July 1, 2019, the Capitol’s disaster risk reduction office said that, so far, it did not receive any reports on damage to agriculture due to bad weather.

Jerry Bionat, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction, and Management Council (PDRRMC) executive director said his office has not received any report of damage from the local disaster offices in various municipalities.

“What we are actually experiencing in the province is the southwest monsoon which occurs during the months of July, August, and September,” said Bionat.

Bionat said he is drafting a letter to Gov.  Arthur Defensor Jr. for the creation of a protocol on the water levels and rain gauge from the state weather station.

In his first 100 days in office, the newly-assumed governor said he wants his administration to focus on the right direction in the implementation of the programs and projects in the Province.

Interviewed after attending his first flag-raising ceremony as a governor, Defensor, Jr. said he will “institutionalize” the protocols in his office in the delivery of basic services to the people.

“We want to be aggressive and practical on the challenges that we are facing,” said Defensor.

Defensor said he wants to give emphasis on institutionalizing of protocols particularly during weather disturbances.

He said he wants to be more aggressive to achieve his administration’s goals. He also wants a “practical” approach to tackling weather disturbance.

Tropical Depression Egay enhanced the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, which dumped heavy rains.

The downpour prompted the city and town chief executives to suspend the classes in all levels in the city and province of Iloilo.

In its bulletin issued at 5 p.m., yesterday, the state weather bureau said that “Egay” has weakened into a low-pressure at 2 p.m. yesterday.

This means that weather disturbance may continue in the next 24 to 48 hours. A tropical cyclone wind signal raised over Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands was also lifted.

Due to the low-pressure area, light to moderate to heavy rains will also be experienced over Batanes and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan.

Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over the Visayas and the rest of Luzon until today.

The state weather advised residents in areas identified to be at high risk of flooding and landslides to take precautionary measures and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices for weather updates.