ILOILO City – After days of relentless rain, swelling creeks, and flooding across dozens of barangays, Iloilo City found steady leadership in its chief executive, Mayor Raisa Treñas, now fondly dubbed by netizens as the “Mapisan Mayor” or hardworking mayor for her tireless, hands-on response to the city’s worst weather crisis in recent years.
From personally checking flooded areas in slippers to swiftly returning to City Hall in the same simple outfit for back-to-back meetings, Treñas has become the face of a local government that works with urgency, empathy, and resolve. Her active presence, online and on the ground, has earned praise from Ilonggos and observers alike.
One social media user, through the page “LpuKids Ibike and Ipaddle”, captured the public sentiment in a viral post:
“Hard to keep up with Mayora Mapisan… On just her 4th week as Iloilo’s first-time mayor — and already, you’ll see her everywhere. Flood response, drainage concerns, community issues — hands-on, no-frills, no pa-star… That’s Mayora Mapisan for you. Iloilo City is lucky. Heart-first. Action-ready. Serbisyo para sa tanan. Mayora… ano ni bala vitamins mo? Pahuway man bi gamay, indi kami ka-keep up!”
LEADERSHIP THAT SHOWS UP
As days of torrential rains submerged 94 barangays affecting 12,310 families or over 47,961 individuals, Mayor Treñas wasted no time. She mobilized the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and other frontline offices of the City Hall to ensure that all evacuation centers are ready and led the distribution of food packs, hygiene kits, and other essentials. City Hall also partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and private donors to bolster relief operations. A total of 9, 548 food packs were given by the CSWDO while the 3, 530 are from DSWD.
In hard-hit districts like Jaro, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo, Treñas made personal rounds in evacuation centers, speaking to residents and checking their conditions.
Among the grateful was Punong Barangay Joel Alvardo of Bakhaw:
“Nagapasalamat gid kami sa Iloilo City Government sa pagpanguna ni Inday Mayor Raisa sa pagpadala sa aton sang mga relief goods kag supply para sa community kitchen, subong man sa DSWD sang mga food packs, sa mga tawo nga naghatag donations,” said Alvardo.
Merlita Alarcon, 62, who took refuge at the Bakhaw evacuation center, shared how the city government made sure they were fed three times a day, had access to medicine, and were not left unattended.
“Gapasalamat gid kami kay ginaatipan kag ginbuligan kami,” she said.
Mayor Raisa also visited the grieving family of a 13-year-old boy who tragically drowned in Buntatala Creek in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro. Speaking not just as a public official but as a mother, she offered her heartfelt condolences and assured the family of the city’s full support and assistance.
PREEMPTIVE MOVES, PROACTIVE MEASURES
Even before the peak of the flooding, Mayor Treñas ordered preemptive evacuations in dozens of high-risk barangays, especially low-lying and coastal communities. Working closely with barangay leaders, her administration ensured the early relocation of residents to safety, minimizing risk and potential casualties.
She also personally visited the Iloilo City Operation Center to receive real-time updates on the weather and convened a meeting with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), which she chairs.
Meanwhile, she also launched a public health initiative, distributing free doxycycline to flood-affected residents to prevent leptospirosis, a deadly waterborne disease. Through the City Health Office (CHO), with the help from the Department of Health, over 46,280 prophylaxis were distributed as part of a citywide campaign.
Even fur-babies were not forgotten as under the directive of Mayor Treñas, the City Veterinarian’s Office conducted health check-ups for pets with free food in the Regional Evacuation Center in Barangay So-oc, Arevalo.
As floodwaters began to subside, Mayor Treñas called on residents whose homes were damaged to register with the CSWDO to ensure they receive proper assistance in the coming weeks.
Data from the Operation Center showed that there were 47 damaged houses of which 39 are partially damaged and eight are totally wrecked.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACTION
Beyond immediate relief, Treñas has taken a bold stance on enduring causes of flooding. She ordered a temporary cease-and-desist on all Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) waterway projects in Iloilo City, citing poor coordination and reports of encroachment on natural drainage systems.
Projects suspected of narrowing creeks and blocking water flow, particularly in areas in Jaro, Mandurriao and Molo, were flagged for reevaluation.
“No project should endanger our people,” Treñas asserted. “There must be proper planning, consultation, and scientific assessment. We won’t allow shortcuts that put communities at risk.”
ILONGGO ‘BAYANIHAN’ IN ACTION
Mayor Treñas also rallied the private sector, NGOs, and generous individuals to support relief efforts. The city received overwhelming donations — from farm-fresh vegetables to hygiene supplies, including baby and adult diapers, wipes, and essential medicines.
“Salamat. Just one word, pero madamo sang kahulugan para sa madamo nga indibidwal kag organisasyon nga kaupod naton sa sini nga pagtilaw,” the mayor said.
“To our government employees, barangay officials, volunteers and friends who unselfishly devote their time, dedication, and commitment to serve — I am grateful sa tanan ninyo nga sakripisyo.”
Acknowledging the limits of one person’s capacity, she added, “Indi ko ini mahimo nga naga-isahanon lang. Kon wala kamo, wala man ako sang may mahimo. With God above and you by my side, nasarangan naton ang demands sang sitwasyon. Nakatibawas kita — and I’m sure we can overcome whatever challenges may come. Ari gid ako diri, nga padayon nga maga-suporta sa inyo kag sa tanan nga Pamilyang Ilonggo.”
In her first month as mayor, Raisa Treñas has faced one of Iloilo City’s toughest tests. But in the flood’s aftermath, she has also become a symbol of resilience and service, a woman of action, a public servant with heart, and a leader who leads not from behind a desk, but from beside her people.
From emergency response to future-proofing the city’s flood defenses, the “Mapisan Mayor” has made it clear: she is here, she is working, and she is not slowing down./PN
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MAYOR RAISA TREÑAS IN ACTION. Amid days of relentless rain, rising floodwaters, and swollen creeks affecting multiple barangays, Mayor Raisa Treñas has proven to be a tireless, hands-on and visible leader, both at City Hall and on the ground. From overseeing evacuations to distributing relief goods and personally checking on affected families, she has been at the forefront of Iloilo City’s relief and recovery efforts.
