Flood hits 15 barangays in Jaro
Fifteen low-lying barangays in the district of Jaro became flooded over the weekend after heavy rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Jolina hit Iloilo City. Several major streets were also submerged in water.
The flooded barangays were: Simon Ledesma, San Roque, Desamparados, Democracia, Arguelles, Ma. Cristina, Fajardo, Taytay, Fatima, Calubihan and Commission Civil. The residents of the affected barangays were alerted starting Saturday to move to higher and safer ground in case the water level at the Jaro River or Salog River reached to six meters. The district of Jaro is mostly affected by floods every time a typhoon or heavy down pour occurs.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas has also alerted all the city government offices who have roles in the disaster management and relief operations in the event water from the Jaro river overflows.
The city’s Crisis and Disaster Management Team led by Engr. Jose Papa and the Jaro Police Station conducted a continuous monitoring of the water level. Fortunately, the water subsided yesterday morning to only 4.9 meters on the gauge. However, residents were still on alert since the rains continue to pour in the different municipalities which could contribute to the volume of water entering Iloilo River.
Meanwhile, strong waves also battered barangays Rizal Estanzuela and Rizal Pala-Pala in the City Proper prompting the residents to get ready to evacuate.
Meanwhile, the passengers of the pumpboats traversing Buenavista-Iloilo were surprised when the fare suddenly increased from P13.50 to P40 per passenger. The passengers said they were made to pay the extra amount because of the “risk” on the crew and the pumpboat itself in going to Iloilo and vice versa. Each pumpboat is only loaded with 25-30 passengers.