Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas expressed her hope on Monday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will present priority plans to address flooding during his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In a press conference, Treñas highlighted the importance of flood control projects in mitigating flooding in Iloilo City. She noted that the Iloilo Flood Control Project has been instrumental in this effort, comprising several components such as the improvement of the Aganan and Tigum Rivers, the upper and mouth of the Jaro River, the midstream of the Iloilo River, and the upper Ingore Creek, along with the construction of the Jaro floodway. This project was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways and completed in 2012 with funding support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The mayor emphasized the necessity of ongoing flood control measures, stating, “Flood control should be ongoing,” and pointed out that the city’s current project is designed to last only 20 years. “We need to have the next programs and projects to study the lifespan of our new flood control measures,” she added.
Treñas also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Marcos administration, noting that Iloilo City has benefited from various programs and projects under his leadership. “As LCE (local chief executive), I can feel the plans of our administration,” she remarked.
She mentioned that Iloilo City is the only city selected for the traffic planning program of the Department of Transportation and that her office recently hosted officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to discuss upcoming programs.
“I am thankful that they always include the city in their studies and grants,” Treñas stated.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda is also looking forward to hearing the President’s plans for strengthening the economy, advancing the agriculture and fisheries sectors, and establishing life-saving specialty hospital services in the regions.
“We would benefit from updates on how the national government is enhancing our disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts, especially in light of growing environmental concerns such as climate change, land subsidence, and natural calamities—including the recent flooding—that we continue to face,” Baronda said in a statement on Monday.
