REALITY CHECK BEGINS: 3-month probe on Iloilo flood control projects in full throttle

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The three-month full-scale technical and scientific assessment of all existing flood control and waterway projects in Iloilo City is now underway.

The study began initial planning this week, led by urban planning expert and UP Diliman assistant professor Dr. Gil Cruz Jr., in collaboration with experts from Central Philippine University.

On Monday, Mayor Raisa Treñas met with Cruz, along with representatives from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and General Services Office, to discuss the initial plans.

Cruz has long been involved in research related to sustainable stormwater management and nature-based solutions for mitigating flood risks.

During the meeting, he emphasized the need for hydrological and inundation analyses, taking into account various flood scenarios and return periods.

He also stressed the importance of a feasibility study framework and the inclusion of environmental impact assessments.

Cruz has requested relevant documents from the city government before beginning onsite inspections.

The city government is finalizing the budget and identifying funding sources for the study.

“With the rapid development of our city, it is important to ensure that our drainage and flood control projects are suited to the city’s actual conditions,” Treñas said.

She added that outdated designs or implementations must be addressed immediately to prevent more serious problems.

The study’s launch follows a call from DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan — cited by Treñas — urging a science-based and independent review at the earliest possible time.

The study comes as the city government links waterway projects of the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) to the flooding of more than 100 barangays following a week of heavy rain from successive storms.

The flooding prompted Treñas to issue a cease-and-desist order against all ICDEO waterway projects, which she lifted less than a week later.

Funding for the ICDEO’s projects was facilitated by Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda.

Treñas spox, Baronda trade barbs 

The city’s flood control efforts have turned into a public spat between Mayor Treñas and Congresswoman Baronda, with both sides accusing each other of politicizing the issue.

Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, spokesperson for Treñas, accused Baronda of deflecting public concern.

“Rather than acknowledging and addressing the waterway projects of the ICDEO, she has chosen to deflect by injecting political narratives,” Fantilaga-Gorzal said.

She argued that the flooding is a direct result of uncoordinated infrastructure projects.

“Why are our communities submerged after only minimal rainfall? This is what the people are asking — and the same concern Mayor Raisa Treñas is demanding answers for,” she added.

“With 20 more storms projected this year, the question our people are asking is not ‘Sin-o gid bala ang mayor?’ (Who is the mayor?) but ‘Sin-o bala ang magahimo sang aksyon para indi na kami magbaha?’ (Who will take action to stop the flooding?),” she continued.

Fantilaga-Gorzal emphasized that the mayor is working on solutions and that it is now up to ICDEO to cooperate and take corrective measures.

Baronda responded by accusing Treñas’ camp of deflecting from its own missteps — particularly the issuance and sudden withdrawal of the cease-and-desist order against DPWH projects.

“The city mayor’s spokesperson, in a bid to shield her principal from further embarrassment, has failed to respond to the challenge I posed,” Baronda said.

She questioned the mayor’s claim that Bonoan agreed to suspend the Buntatala Creek project, citing a lack of documentation.

“Their answer is a non-answer. We await a response from the mayor herself. And with the receipt,” she said.

Baronda maintained that flood control is the responsibility of the local chief executive and that her office has focused on securing national funding and support.

She said ICDEO is not to blame for flooding in Buntatala, Nabitasan, Dungon, Mohon, or Bakhaw.

Baronda argued that these areas have long suffered from urban drainage problems worsened by climate change, overdevelopment, and lack of inter-agency coordination.

She reiterated support for the independent drainage study and welcomed accountability — but not political finger-pointing.