ILOILO City – The recent flooding in five barangays of Jaro district has triggered a political firestorm, with Mayor Raisa Treñas and Cong. Julienne Baronda clashing over whether ongoing Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects contributed to the overflow of Buntatala Creek.
Following days of heavy rains, the barangays of Tagbak, Balantang, Buntatala, Camalig, and Lanit were inundated, prompting questions about the impact of ongoing infrastructure works in the area – many of which were facilitated by Baronda through national funding.
Baronda denounced what she described as an “orchestrated effort” to pin the blame on her office, saying, “Our ongoing projects such as the seawall, multipurpose buildings, and access roads, were weaponized to malign and discredit our efforts. Streamers were put up to mislead the public. Thankfully, residents and even allies of our political opponents have come forward to correct the misinformation.”
She cited a clarification made on Facebook by former Barangay Balantang chairman Jerel Agilles, who disputed media claims that linked flooding in Lawaan Subdivision’s 8th Street to the construction of the Balantang Multipurpose Hall.
Baronda also released a report from the DPWH Iloilo City District Engineering Office stating that the actual cause of the flooding was downstream: siltation, vegetation overgrowth, and garbage accumulation had reduced Buntatala Creek’s flow capacity.
“The project site has already demonstrated improvement in flow capacity and has not experienced flooding,” the report read. “However, flooding emerged downstream, where slope protection and drainage improvements are not yet constructed.”
Mayor Treñas raised questions about DPWH’s coordination — or lack thereof — with the city government. She said DPWH Region 6 director Joel Limpengco was surprised that no formal coordination had taken place between the district engineering office and local authorities for some projects.
“Before any project begins, it is DPWH policy to coordinate with the local government, from the mayor to barangay captains and stakeholders,” Treñas said. “This did not happen in some cases, and that must be addressed.”
She added that she would write to DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan and DENR secretary Raphael Lotilla to request a full investigation into the flooding and ensure all projects meet environmental compliance.
Even former mayor Jerry Treñas weighed in, breaking his post-election silence to call for accountability.
“I cannot simply stay idle as my fellow citizens suffer,” he said. “Creeks like Buntatala may be overlooked, but they play a crucial role in draining excess rainwater. If infrastructure encroaches on these natural waterways or if culverts are undersized, then we’re creating bottlenecks that endanger entire communities.”
He emphasized the importance of proper planning and compliance: “Proper geohazard assessments must not be an afterthought.”
Despite the political tension, all parties acknowledge the need for long-term solutions. Iloilo City’s topography — much of which lies below sea level — coupled with land subsidence and aging drainage systems, continues to pose engineering challenges.
Baronda reaffirmed her commitment to completing the Buntatala Creek improvement project. “I will not be distracted,” she said. “We will continue to build and serve.”
The project includes widening the creek from 1.5–2.0 meters to 3.0 meters, aligned with DPWH’s 2017 Comprehensive Drainage System Study.
Meanwhile, Mayor Treñas pledged that her administration would strengthen inter-agency collaboration moving forward.
“We will work closely with national agencies to ensure that flood-related infrastructure meets safety and environmental standards,” she said.
A July 17 DPWH incident report confirmed that the recent flooding occurred in the downstream portion of Buntatala Creek in Barangay Tagbak — outside the scope of the current upstream slope protection and bike lane project.
Site inspections revealed extensive debris and obstructions had reduced the waterway’s capacity, with engineers even recording overflow during dry periods, suggesting possible illegal discharges or underground diversions.
The report concluded that while upstream interventions showed improved water flow, critical infrastructure gaps downstream must be addressed immediately to prevent future flooding./PN
