ILOILO City — Disaster preparedness paid off for Iloilo City.
It recorded zero flooding and no house damage when Typhoon “Tino” (international name: “Kalmaegi”) lashed Panay Island on Tuesday, November 4, — a result, officials said, of early evacuation, strong coordination, and residents’ cooperation.
According to the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center’s latest situational report, no barangays were flooded and no houses were reported damaged, either totally or partially, as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.
A total of 1,314 families or 4,949 individuals were staying in 64 active evacuation centers across the city.
Darwin Joemil Papa, head of the Disaster Response Division of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), attributed the city’s safety record to proactive measures and swift response efforts.
“We were fortunate that the typhoon brought more wind than rain this time,” Papa said. “Ang dominant factor gid subong amo ang hangin, indi ang ulan — amo na nga wala kita sang pagbaha. Usually, kabalo kita nga prone sa flash floods ang syudad, pero subong naglapta lang ang hangin, wala gid nagtipon ang tubig.”
Despite strong winds that uprooted 41 trees and toppled five utility poles, Papa said response teams were immediately deployed to clear debris and keep major roads passable.
“Our clearing operations started right after the winds subsided. We made sure that all major roads remained passable and that there were no prolonged power interruptions,” he added.
Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed 300 food packs and 902 food boxes to evacuees.
“Our evacuees are safe, accounted for, and have enough food and water. We will continue monitoring the weather until the city is completely cleared from Typhoon Tino’s effects,” Papa assured.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city remains under a state of calamity, a declaration still in effect from previous typhoons “Crising,” “Odette,” and “Dante.”
“As of now, we are still under a state of calamity because of Crising, Odette, and Dante. But with the current number, we have to look kay amo na ang basehan. For now, state of calamity man kita gihapon,” the mayor said.
She explained that the declaration allows the city government to mobilize calamity funds for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
“Yes, bastante ang aton nga food sa community kitchen naton, and we are prepared for worst-case scenarios,” Treñas added.
The mayor emphasized that keeping Iloilo City under a state of calamity ensures rapid mobilization of resources and sustained protection for residents amid the series of weather disturbances battering Western Visayas./PN
