ILOILO – The municipality of Pototan has been placed under a state of calamity after widespread flooding triggered by the southwest monsoon (habagat) affected 3,615 residents across 31 barangays, prompting local authorities to fast-track emergency response, relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts.
Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro announced that the Sangguniang Bayan approved the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity during a special session on Tuesday, July 14, following a Damage and Needs Assessment.
Pototan is the first municipality in Iloilo Province to declare a state of calamity due to the effects of habagat this season.
Lazaro said the declaration recognizes the extent of the damage caused by widespread flooding and provides the legal basis for the immediate mobilization of resources to support emergency response, relief operations, rehabilitation and recovery efforts for affected communities.
An initial situational report submitted by the Pototan local government unit to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed that as of 4:30 p.m. on July 13, flooding had affected 31 barangays: Dongsol, Jebioc, Jamabalud, Naslo, Bongco, Tumcon Ilaud, Palanguia, Cahaguikican, Danao, Nabitasan, Pajo, Macatol, Cau-ayan, Igang, Rumbang, Lopez Jaena, Nanga, Bagacay, Lay-ahan, San Jose, Naga, Malusgod, Barasan, Amamaros, P. Ledesma Ward, Casalsagan, Abangay, Cansilayan, Iwa Ilaya, Batuan, and F. Parcon Ward.
Pototan also reported that 1,034 families, or 3,615 individuals, were affected, although most have already returned to their homes.
The municipality further recorded three partially damaged houses in barangays Bongco, Palanguia and Cau-ayan.
As of press time, the municipal government had yet to submit a damage assessment on infrastructure and agriculture to the PDRRMO.
Provincial data showed initial losses to agriculture, fisheries, livestock and poultry from July 1 to July 12 had reached P8.119 million.
Across Iloilo, 2,025 families or 6,739 individuals from 16 municipalities were affected, while 12 houses were damaged, including three that were totally destroyed and nine that sustained partial damage./PN
