Treñas eyes demolition or halt of Buntatala project

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas is considering either demolishing or issuing a cease and desist order against an ongoing road and slope protection project along Buntatala Creek, which has been linked to recent flooding in several barangays in Jaro district.

The project, known as the Iloilo City Access Road Section 1, is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) and includes a bike lane and slope protection structures along the creek.

“We are studying if we will demolish it or have a cease and desist order to stop the construction,” Treñas said on Tuesday, July 22.

“We need to follow the standards of the DPWH for the minimum meter clearance in the creek.”

Treñas linked the construction to the death of a 13-year-old boy who allegedly drowned in Buntatala Creek.

The teenager had been missing since Monday and was found lifeless near the entrance of Green Garden in Barangay Tagbak early on Tuesday, July 22.

“We know that it is a creek, so why would we put a project like that there?” Treñas said.

“I was praying that there would be no casualties, and then it happened.”

On Monday, July 22, the mayor met with the city’s drainage task force and DPWH Region 6 to review inspection reports related to the flooding.

DPWH-6 was represented by Assistant Regional Director Al Fruto.

“We reviewed what we can improve,” Treñas said.

“There are areas to work on, like places with heavy vegetation that needs to be cleared, and some that need dredging.”

“We will also review the current DPWH projects, such as bike lanes in the creek.”

The mayor reiterated her earlier position that the ICDEO project contributed to flooding in Barangays Camalig, Lanit, Tagbak, Balantang, and Buntatala.

Citing a statement from DPWH-6, Treñas said that a minimum creek opening must be maintained to ensure natural water flow and avoid flooding.

These clearances must meet or exceed the standard minimum width, depending on the creek’s size.

If a culvert or foundation blocks part of the waterway, the remaining space must still allow unimpeded flow.

“The DPWH said they have guidelines,” Treñas said.

“If there’s a project, the creek opening must follow a specific standard.”

“We should just follow the proper standards.”

Treñas has not specified the required minimum clearance under DPWH guidelines.

Daily Guardian sought clarification from the agency but has yet to receive a response.

“Nature will always find its way to flow,” Treñas said.

“If the flow of nature is ruined, we will have flooding. We should be accountable for our actions. We should follow the laws. And I believe that no one should be above the law.”

However, the ICDEO denied in a July 18 memorandum that the project was the main cause of the recent flooding.

The agency said that flooding occurred in downstream areas and pointed to other contributing factors.

Site visits were conducted on July 16 and 17, joined by DPWH-6 Director Joel Limpengco, city officials, and barangay captains.

According to ICDEO, the downstream section of Buntatala Creek was severely blocked by vegetation and garbage, which were outside the project’s scope.

They said these blockages reduced creek capacity and caused localized overflow.

The agency also noted unusual water behavior, including overflow during dry weather, and said an investigation is underway to check for upstream drainage issues.

The project in question covers 238 meters of steel sheet pile slope protection and includes a 4-meter-wide Portland cement concrete pavement for an access road and bike lane, with concrete railings and balusters.

It also involves widening the creek channel from 1.5 to 2 meters to an average of 3 meters to help prevent erosion and flooding.