Residents of Iloilo City are preparing for the possible effects of the entry of the rainy season, especially that many barangays in the city get flooded easily during a downpour.

In Barangay Hubang Taft North in the district of Mandurriao, residents have experienced floodwaters deeper than a person’s height.

A resident, Emperatres Vipinosa, told GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas that they kept the ropes they have installed in their area as these ropes are what they hold when navigating in floodwaters.

They have also brought important belongings to the upper floor of their house.

“Naghahanda na talaga kami. Lahat ng gamit namin sa baba, nasa taas na. Bababa nalang kaming lahat at aakyat dito,” she said.

Weather bureau PAGASA has declared the onset of the habagat and rainy seasons.

“Expect natin from time to time, we have occasional rains because ito sa ating hanging habagat. Meron tayong onset ng habagat season,” said Ferdinand Rubin, weather specialist.

OPLAN KONTRA BAHA

As of this writing, the local government of Iloilo City, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) continue with clearing and declogging operations at the city’s rivers and waterways.

Clearing operations have concluded in Barangays Ticud, Ingore, and Baldoza in the district of La Paz, and workers have moved upstream of the Jaro River.

Since the start of the Oplan Kontra Baha three weeks earlier, up to 70 tons of garbage were removed from the river.

“We will install waste traps in the boundaries in every barangay. So we have seven barangays in La Paz and we need to install upstream and downstream so that we could identify the barangays that contribute sa pagtapon ng basura sa river,” said Neil Ravena, head of the Iloilo City General Services Office.

BACOLOD PREPARATION

In Bacolod City in Negros Island Region, workers have gathered up to 700 tons of trash during clearing operations.

Most of the trash were removed from under the Mandalagan Bridge 1.

Barangay rescuers are also made to undergo training.

“Each office should have someone na marunong magresponde so that we will be equipped rin kung papano mag-interpret sa ating mga forecast,” said Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, head of the Bacolod DRRMO.