Floods hit Iloilo, threaten coastal areas

Authorities in Iloilo province are keeping tabs on coastal and flood-prone areas after overnight monsoon rains flooded several parts of the province Thursday. Online news site The News Today reported Friday that the floods snarled traffic in major streets of Iloilo City. In Jaro, wealthy residents in residential subdivisions used sandbags to prevent floodwaters from entering their houses. Several workers at the provincial capitol went home in the afternoon after learning that the water level in major rivers connecting several Iloilo towns increased by the hour. Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Rosario Cabrera said emergency personnel worked overtime to monitor the condition in various towns and all over the city. "Our emergency responders are on alert. If it is necessary to evacuate our affected residents to higher grounds, the procedures are in place in coordination with our local disaster coordinating councils," Cabrera said. - GMANews.TV