ILOILO City — The threat of flooding and rain-induced landslides in Western Visayas extends beyond the 905 barangays officially classified as highly susceptible, with authorities warning that nearby and downstream communities could also be hit as persistent rains continue across the region.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 6 sounded the broader warning as several weather systems continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, threatening mountainside communities, low-lying areas and settlements along river systems.
Western Visayas has a total of 3,389 barangays.
MGB-6 identified 905 highly susceptible barangays in 34 municipalities across Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Guimaras based on the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) rainfall data and the 72-hour forecast covering Aug. 17 to 20.
But the bureau stressed that communities outside the official danger list should not consider themselves automatically safe.
Areas located near or downstream of the identified high-risk communities may also be affected by flooding and landslides as rainfall continues.
Of the 905 vulnerable barangays, Antique has the largest concentration with 556, or more than half of the regional total. Iloilo follows with 216 barangays, Aklan with 74, and Guimaras with 59.
In Aklan, the identified barangays are in Madalag, Malinao, Buruanga, Ibajay, Malay and Nabas.
Antique’s high-risk areas are spread across Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-an, Valderrama, Pandan, Anini-y, Belison, Culasi, Hamtic, Libertad, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sebaste, Sibalom, Tibiao, Tobias Fornier and Caluya.
In Iloilo, the vulnerable barangays are in Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Guimbal, Igbaras and Tigbauan, while all five municipalities of Guimaras — Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag — have barangays on the list.
The warning comes as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) intensifies coordination among government agencies amid continuing rains.
During a weather updating meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, PAGASA Iloilo reported that Low Pressure Area (LPA) 08f was being closely monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Another low-pressure area, LPA 08g, and a separate tropical depression remained outside PAR and posed no direct threat to the country.
The weather systems, however, continue to enhance the habagat, driving persistent rains over the western section of the Philippines, including Western Visayas.
Heavy rains and moderate to rough coastal waters are expected through the weekend and could persist into next week.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 is also monitoring major river irrigation networks and dam structures across the region to ensure operational safety and regulate water levels.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 6 has readied 174,486 Family Food Packs, 27,358 Ready-to-Eat Food items and 16,763 Non-Food Items for augmentation to local government units (LGUs).
The supplies are stored at regional warehouses in Oton and Pototan and at prepositioned sites covering 77 LGUs across Western Visayas.
The RDRRMC urged residents in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible communities — including those outside the MGB’s identified high-risk areas — to monitor official advisories and coordinate with local disaster authorities for precautionary measures and possible evacuation./PN