ILOILO City – This city’s battle against perennial flooding is being undermined by outdated maps and unreliable data, exposing a weakness in government planning and coordination.
These issues emerged during the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s quad committee hearing on Thursday, Aug. 28, on the recent flooding that hit several barangays of the city.
“Subong nga hearing, na-identify nga lacking gid man ang data sa both local government and national government,” said Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, majority floor leader.
It was revealed that the latest map being used by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) dates back to the 1950s.
According to Darwin Papa of the CDRRMO, their office is now attempting to digitize the old map to present updated waterways.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), meanwhile, admitted in earlier discussions that its own topographic maps are outdated, forcing planners to rely on Google Earth.
“So kun ga-rely kita sang amo na nga data, Google Earth pa no less nga publicly available, indi man accurate ang aton localized solutions,” Sarabia said.
He added that the problem is “collective,” involving informal settlers, defective drainage systems, and poor inter-agency coordination.
“Mayo gani nga ginhiwat naton ang quad committee hearing para makita naton ang kadalom gid sang problema,” he added.
Engr. Mavi Gustilo, chairperson of the Iloilo City Drainage Task Force, presented a consolidated “Summary of Concerns, Issues, and Challenges Affecting Iloilo City During Flood.” Among the critical issues cited were:
* lack of collaboration between national agencies and the city government
* worsening climate conditions
* informal settlers along river basins
* clogged drainage due to poor maintenance
* loss of natural waterways to urban development
* outdated flood mitigation structures
* idle pumping stations
* low-lying drainage outfalls causing seawater backflow
* siltation of rivers and tributaries
Gustilo stressed the need for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the city government to work closely in designing projects.
She also pointed to unmaintained drainage and pumping stations, as well as rising sea levels, as aggravating factors.
The presentation will continue in the next quad committee hearing set for September 18, where reports from the City Planning and Development Office, CDRRMO, Office of the Building Official, and City Assessor’s Office will also be tackled.
Despite repeated invitations, DPWH-Iloilo City District Engineering Office officer-in-charge Roy Pacanan failed to attend the session, drawing frustration from councilors. Barangay captains from Lapuz were present and echoed concerns on how flooding continues to disrupt their communities.
This was the second round of quad committee hearings. The first, held on Aug. 11, was marred by the absence of DPWH-ICDEO, DENR, and other key agencies.
The ongoing investigation is in aid of legislation and aims to scrutinize both government projects and private obstructions in waterways.
City officials expressed hope that the Sept. 18 hearing will finally bring all stakeholders to the table and pave the way for concrete measures to ease flooding in Iloilo.
The four committees jointly conducting the hearing are on Environment, Public Order and Safety, Infrastructure, and Social Services./PN
