ILOILO — Relentless rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat), enhanced by Typhoon Inday, pounded Iloilo on Sunday, claiming the life of a 67-year-old man, triggering six landslide and weather-related incidents, displacing 48 families or 110 individuals in Iloilo City, and leaving a trail of damaged roads, bridges, houses and other vital infrastructure.
The lone fatality was a farmer resident of Sitio Sidlangan, Barangay Nagba, Tubungan town, who died after a rain-induced landslide buried part of his house before dawn.
“The victim, Placido ‘Sidong’ Tabalina, was inside their house with his wife and two grandchildren when a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rains struck. A large balayo tree and a mahogany tree were carried down by the collapsing soil and pinned the victim,” said Police Captain Lunelyn Talamillo, chief of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station.
The other family members survived.
The victim’s wife sought help from barangay officials immediately after the landslide. Rescuers found him trapped unconscious under the debris of his home after some 30 minutes of searching. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
According to Vice Mayor Leo Taypen of Tubungan, the area where Tabalina’s house stood was classified as being at high risk for landslides, which had prompted local officials to issue evacuation warnings well in advance.
Taypen reiterated the importance of adherence to evacuation advisories.
Continuous rains also triggered another landslide in Barangay Igdampog Sur, Tubungan, destroying a section of the road and cutting off access to the area.
In Leon town, a landslide in Sitio Pagas, Barangay Igcadios, completely blocked a road with mud, rocks, uprooted trees and debris.
Riverbank erosion in Barangay Buga threatened nearby structures, while raging floodwaters washed away a large portion of a concrete dike in Sitio Buntalan, Poblacion.
A hanging bridge in Barangay Camando was also destroyed by flash floods, rendering it impassable.
The inclement weather also forced Leon’s Mayor Ma. Lina Cabana Holipas to order the suspension today, June 13, of face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools, to allow clearing operations, structural inspections and road repairs while ensuring public safety.
In Iloilo City, flooding displaced 48 families composed of 110 individuals, according to the situational report of the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center as of 6 a.m. Sunday.
The biggest number of evacuees came from Barangay Maria Clara in the City Proper, where 40 families or 77 individuals were temporarily sheltered at the Sta. Maria Gymnasium.
Other affected residents included two families (eight individuals) from Barangay San Roque, Jaro district; four families (10 individuals) from Barangay Sambag, Jaro; one family (seven individuals) from Barangay Balantang, Jaro; and one family (eight individuals) from Barangay Camalig, Jaro.
Some displaced residents opted to stay with relatives but remained under government monitoring.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) immediately rolled out relief operations, distributing 60 kilograms of rice, 60 cans of corned beef, and 300 disposable plates, spoons and forks to evacuees and affected families.
Community kitchens also received 25 kilograms of rice, 100 cans of sardines, 48 cans of corned beef and 48 cans of beef loaf to ensure uninterrupted meal preparation for displaced residents.
Assessment teams likewise validated three partially damaged houses caused by strong winds and fallen trees — one in Barangay Balantang and two in Barangay San Roque — affecting 15 individuals.
To strengthen disaster response, the CSWDO pre-activated its Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reporting system and Emergency Operations Center, prepositioned relief supplies, repacked food packs, readied Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services teams for deployment, and continued round-the-clock monitoring of weather conditions and evacuation centers.
Authorities continue to monitor affected communities as intermittent heavy rains persist and urged residents, particularly those living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain vigilant, avoid danger zones, and immediately comply with evacuation advisories./PN