Iloilo city: The city government has initiated the second phase of its Oplan Kontra Baha cleanup drive along sections of the Jaro River, focusing on areas where accumulated garbage is obstructing water flow and drainage.

According to Philippines News Agency, Iloilo City General Services Office head Neil Ravena announced that this week's cleanup operations are concentrated in Barangays Benedicto and Tabuc Suba, with plans to extend to Barangay Cubay the following week. The city government is collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Labor and Employment, which has deployed workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program for the 21-day operation.

The cleanup covers a stretch of the Jaro River from Barangay Tabuc Suba in La Paz district to Barangay Tacas in Jaro. Ravena stated that workers are tasked with manually hauling garbage from the river to designated collection points, requiring 10 to 15 individuals to carry a single crate. Workers have been equipped with personal protective equipment and received safety training from the city health office.

The city anticipates collecting five to six truckloads of garbage per area, with each truck carrying between 2 to 3 tons. Five to six areas have been earmarked for this cleanup effort. Ravena highlighted that the accumulated waste hinders water flow, exacerbating drainage issues.

Following the cleanup, the city aims to install waste traps to prevent future garbage accumulation in waterways and to identify barangays contributing to the waste buildup. The first phase of the operation, conducted along parts of the Jaro River in La Paz, successfully removed nearly 100 tons of garbage. Ravena emphasized the city's commitment to maintaining clear waterways.