ILOILO City – The Iloilo City government has placed its entire emergency response system on “blue alert” from March 29 to April 6, activating round-the-clock monitoring and full deployment readiness to safeguard thousands of devotees expected to converge across the city for Holy Week activities.
Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered the heightened alert, placing the Iloilo City Operations Center and all disaster response units on 24/7 status to prevent incidents and ensure swift emergency response during the weeklong observance of Semana Santa.
“As Catholics commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the city is also called upon to prioritize public safety, ensuring that Holy Week becomes not only a time of reflection and renewal but also of security and peace,” Treñas said in a memorandum.
The alert status, which took effect at 8 a.m. on March 29 until 8 a.m. on April 6, comes amid expectations of large crowds attending religious gatherings, processions, and church activities.
Under the directive, the Operations Center will conduct continuous monitoring of incidents and weather conditions, while response clusters, barangays, and partner agencies are required to maintain close coordination and submit regular situation reports.
“All vice-chairpersons and cluster leads are hereby advised to be on standby and be ready for possible deployment when needed,” Treñas added, emphasizing the need for rapid coordination among concerned offices.
District and barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils have also been ordered to activate their emergency operations centers on a 24/7 basis and intensify public information campaigns on safety and risk reduction.
The mayor stressed that preparedness across all levels is critical to avoid emergencies during the peak of religious activities.
“We are mandating close monitoring and immediate reporting of all incidents to ensure prompt and coordinated response,” she said.
Authorities also urged the public to take extra precautions, especially amid rising temperatures during the dry season.
Residents were advised to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and wear light clothing when joining religious events.
Households were likewise reminded to secure their homes before leaving, unplug electrical devices, avoid leaving candles unattended, and ensure mobile phones are fully charged with emergency hotlines accessible.
Treñas called on the public to cooperate with authorities to maintain peace and order.
“We call on everyone to observe preparedness measures and practice responsible behavior to help maintain peace and order in our communities,” she said.
The Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center will remain open throughout Holy Week to receive reports and respond to emergencies./PN
