ILOILO City – With Typhoon “Tino” (international name: “Kalmaegi”) barreling through Panay Island, the Iloilo City Government has raised its alert status to red, signaling full mobilization of disaster response teams as nearly a hundred barangays were identified as highly vulnerable to flooding and storm surges.
Mayor Raisa Treñas ordered the full activation of the City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and directed all clusters, district, and barangay disaster response teams to be on heightened alert.
“We have raised the alert status from Blue to Red to make sure all our systems are fully operational,” Treñas said. “All barangays are instructed to activate their emergency operations centers, check on residents in flood-prone and coastal communities, and carry out preemptive evacuation if necessary. Our goal is to prevent loss of life and ensure the safety of every Ilonggo.”
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday afternoon placed Iloilo City under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, warning of gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, and possible storm surges in coastal and low-lying areas within the next 24 hours.
Based on the 2020 Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), 72 barangays were found at high risk of flooding, potentially affecting around 240,360 residents, while 25 barangays were identified as susceptible to storm surges, exposing over 107,000 people to danger.
CDRRMO head Donna Magno said the assessment serves as a crucial guide for both short-term emergency actions and long-term urban resilience measures.
“This data helps us pinpoint which communities need priority in terms of early warning systems, evacuation centers, and infrastructure resilience,” Magno explained.
Flood-prone areas are concentrated in low-lying and river-adjacent communities across Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, Molo, and Arevalo districts, including Balabago, Quintin Salas, Nabitasan, Bolilao, and Calaparan.
Meanwhile, coastal barangays such as Baybay Tanza, Bo. Obrero, Lapuz Norte, Molo Boulevard, and Calumpang have been tagged as high-risk zones for storm surges, particularly during typhoons or prolonged monsoon rains.
Magno said the CDRA results are also vital in shaping zoning decisions, housing projects, and flood-control investments to ensure that development projects align with environmental safety.
“Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. The city continues to strengthen its response capacity, but community participation is key to saving lives,” she stressed.
Mayor Treñas reminded residents to stay vigilant and heed official advisories.
“We understand that many are anxious, but please remain calm and alert. Listen only to verified information from the Iloilo City DRRMC and PAGASA, prepare your essentials such as food, water, and medicines, and avoid wading through floodwaters to prevent diseases like leptospirosis,” she said.
She assured the public that all city departments and emergency response units are on standby and working together to address any emergency that may arise.
“The safety and well-being of every Ilonggo is our top priority,” Treñas added. “Let’s continue to work together, stay informed, and look out for one another as we face this typhoon.”
According to the CDRRMO, the updated risk maps have been shared with barangay officials to enhance local disaster protocols, improve drainage systems, and implement preemptive evacuations when necessary.
City officials have urged residents, especially those in coastal and low-lying areas, to heed warnings and evacuation advisories as “Tino” intensifies.
As of 6 p.m. Monday, November 3, according to PAGASA, Typhoon “Tino” was tracked 120 kilometers east of Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h.
It is moving west-southwest at 20 km/h, expected to cross Panay Island early this Tuesday morning before exiting toward the Sulu Sea by midday.
The weather bureau warned of widespread heavy rains that could trigger flash floods and landslides in Western Visayas, while coastal waters in Iloilo City and Guimaras are expected to be dangerous to small sea vessels./PN
