Iloilo: Iloilo’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has called on Ilonggos in low-lying and mountainous areas to stay alert for flooding and rain-induced landslides caused by Tropical Depression Verbena. PDRRMO head Cornelio Salinas, in an interview on Tuesday, said the soil has become saturated due to the impact of previous typhoons Tino and Uwan. The province has been experiencing continuous moderate to heavy rains since 3 a.m.
According to Philippines News Agency, since Monday, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has issued guidance for preemptive evacuation due to the red rainfall forecast for the entire province and a lower likelihood of strong winds, so there have been no reports of fallen trees or electrical poles. The main concern remains the force of the rain. Salinas added that Iloilo has five river systems – Ulian, Tigum, Aganan, Salog, and Jalaur – which may bring water to the floodplain areas of downriver towns, including Dingle, Due±as, San Enrique, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Leganes, Zarraga, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, and San Miguel, as well as Passi City.
“My advice is for the Iloilo Police Provincial Police and the Philippine Coast Guard to stay alert and position their water search and rescue teams along the riverbanks,” Salinas stated. The PDRRMO situation report as of 8 a.m. showed a rain-induced landslide in Janiuay town and a river overflow that made two roads impassable. Flooding in two barangays in Lemery has subsided.
Additionally, 43 local government units have suspended classes, and Janiuay’s municipal government has canceled office work. Moreover, 822 passengers and 363 rolling cargoes are stranded at Bay-ang Port in Ajuy and Dumangas Port in Dumangas town.
“We pray that we overcome Verbena because we were saved from Tino and Uwan,” Salinas expressed. He also urged the public to follow pre-emptive evacuation for safety reasons, adding that those required to evacuate forcibly should listen to instructions, as it could save their lives. Salinas mentioned that the weather disturbance is expected to be outside the landmass by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, but will still be within the waters of San Joaquin in Iloilo and the nearby province of Antique.
