Iloilo city: The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) on Tuesday recommended placing this highly urbanized city under a state of calamity due to the impact of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Crising (international name Wipha), Dante (Francisco), and Emong (Co-May).
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Raisa Tre±as, who chairs the council, expressed her full support for the recommendation and emphasized her commitment to working closely with the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) to expedite the approval process. She assured the public of swift, transparent, and compassionate actions to address the urgent needs and long-term safety of every Ilonggo family.
Data presented by the CDRRM office during their emergency meeting showed that as of July 28, the recent inclement weather affected 56,881 individuals; 44,723 due to flooding and 12,158 due to storm surge. Tre±as noted that this data complies with the criteria set by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which allows for a declaration when disasters result in significant injuries or deaths, infrastructure destruction, and severe impacts on daily living, jobs, and travel.
Along with the recommendation for declaration, the council approved the utilization of PHP21.5 million from the quick response fund of the local DRRM fund. The allocated funds will support the development of relocation sites in Barangays West Haboghabog and San Juan with PHP20 million, provide food assistance for displaced families worth PHP1.4 million, and procure seeds for affected farmers amounting to PHP100,000.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is anticipated to address the declaration during its regular session on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mayor Tre±as mentioned plans for long-term solutions by establishing permanent housing in relocation sites equipped with basic amenities. Additionally, as part of preparedness efforts, the city government will conduct tabletop and field simulation exercises for the disaster response cluster.
