ILOILO City — Citing property damage, massive urban flooding, and even a drowning, Mayor Raisa Treñas on Wednesday issued a sweeping cease-and-desist order (CDO) against several controversial infrastructure projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO), which she linked to the obstruction of natural waterways and the subsequent inundation of 68 barangays.
The July 24 order, addressed to DPWH-ICDEO officer-in-charge Engr. Roy Pacanan, halts ongoing works described as “Slope Protection, Bike Lane, and Access Roads” but which the city contends are in fact unpermitted reclamation projects along major creeks including Buntatala, Dungon, Calubihan / Desamparados, and the mouth of the Iloilo River in Barangay Mohon.
“These reclamation projects have hampered the free flow of water,” Treñas stated, citing the lack of prior consultation with the city government as required under DPWH Department Order No. 110, s. 2015.
“The said construction activities were not made known to the City Government,” she stressed.
Residents and barangay leaders have blamed these projects for exacerbating floods during the heavy downpours of the past week, including those that submerged Lanit, Tagbak, Balantang, Mohon, Camalig, and Buntatala.
One letter from Balantang residents dated July 21 directly linked the flooding in their area to a bike lane and esplanade project near Tagbak Terminal.
A fatality has been confirmed — a 13-year-old boy – and possibly another one, an elderly man. The boy drowned during the flooding.
“As Mayor, I am bound by law and by conscience to protect our city and its people,” Treñas declared, invoking Sections 16 and 455 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160).
The city warned that civil, criminal, and administrative charges may be filed against any party that violates the cease order. The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has been tasked to enforce the directive.
The CDO will remain in effect until a “scientific, objective, and comprehensive” evaluation proves that the said DPWH projects do not endanger the environment or public safety.
The City Legal Office has also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to step in, with City Legal Officer Atty. Joseph Edward Areno stressing that ongoing construction along Buntatala Creek may constitute illegal reclamation without the required environmental and feasibility studies.
“Findings from the Iloilo City Drainage Task Force and barangay officials showed portions of creeks were reclaimed to make way for ‘Slope Protection with Bike Lane,’ reducing water flow capacity,” Areno said.
In a parallel move, Oton, Iloilo’s Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. is also preparing to issue a CDO against DPWH projects extending from Barangay Mohon into his town, which has seen six barangays affected by similar flooding.
“Siling niya, sang nag-umpisa ang proyekto sang Esplanade sa Barangay Mohon, first time nila nga naka-eksperyensya sang pagsaka sang tubig baha sa anum ka barangays sang Oton. Bisan pa sang bagyo Frank sang 2008,” Treñas relayed, “Subong pa lang natabu, kag masakit nga may isa na ka napatay sa ila banwa.”
“We cannot ignore these facts,” Treñas continued. “The flooding in Iloilo City and its neighboring town of Oton has reached a critical point. The ICDEO waterway projects… have altered the natural course of water flow, causing widespread destruction. These creeks are supposed to serve as catch basins, not concrete paths that block drainage.”
Treñas said DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has assured her that all ICDEO projects will be suspended until an objective review is completed.
“Nagpasiguro man siya nga ihatag sang DPWH ang tanan nga project plans kag documents nga ginapangayo sang LGU ukon sang mga eksperto nga magahimo sang pagtuon,” she said.
The city has urged the DENR to determine whether a separate CDO is necessary under Philippine Reclamation Authority regulations, which mandate environmental assessments prior to any reclamation.
“Protecting Iloilo’s natural waterways is crucial to preventing further damage and loss of life, particularly during the typhoon season,” Areno emphasized./PN
