Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas. Photo courtesy of PNA.
Iloilo City officials backed several proposals raised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address, including measures on flood control, taxation and electricity costs.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city’s inclusion in the pilot implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha was significant because flooding remains a recurring problem in Iloilo.
The program will be carried out through the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD initiative, which provides temporary work to disadvantaged and displaced workers.
Treñas said the city government was prepared to coordinate with national agencies in implementing the program and improving local flood mitigation measures.
She also said Marcos’ remarks reflected the administration’s reliance on local governments in delivering services and responding to emergencies.
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, meanwhile, said the President’s address showed that several policy issues still required action.
Baronda called for accountability in the flood control scandal and said those responsible should face court proceedings, while public funds linked to irregularities should be recovered.
She also supported the proposed income tax exemption for workers earning Php 350,000 or less a year, the removal of systems loss charges from electricity bills and a review of the country’s nuclear energy program.
Separately, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas said the region remained generally peaceful during the SONA.
PRO-6 said assemblies were monitored and secured, while traffic flow and essential services were maintained.