The Iloilo City Government is not taking any chances by gearing up for the impact of another weather disturbance.
In an interview on Tuesday, July 22, Mayor Raisa Treñas said preparations include the procurement of rice and canned goods, as well as a community kitchen.
“We are preparing our next steps in case new typhoons are coming in. We made sure our goods are ready. We are also thankful for the assistance from the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development),” she said.
The mayor said the community kitchen is vital for families staying in evacuation centers who cannot find time to cook, since their focus is on cleaning their houses affected by the flooding.
Treñas said the preparations include an orientation with the district heads of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the city government’s disaster cluster.
“We ensure that we are on top of the situation,” she said.
CSWDO Chief Teresa Gelogo said 480 sacks of rice purchased by the city government were delivered Tuesday.
“These are on top of the 1,300 packs of repacked rice from the 300 sacks delivered on Monday,” she said in a separate interview.
As of 1 p.m., Gelogo said only three families remain in the city’s evacuation center in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district, and are expected to return to their homes by Wednesday, July 23.
Based on their record, she said the inclement weather has affected 4,006 families, or 13,142 individuals.
A total of 3,856 families, including those stranded, were assisted by the city government, with augmentation from the DSWD.
The DSWD assistance amounted to P2.065 million while the city government provided P559,481 worth of aid.
The entire Iloilo province is among the areas where government work and classes at all levels are suspended on Wednesday due to continuous heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon, according to Memorandum Circular 90 issued by Malacañang.PNA
