City under the state of calamity, 50 barangays affected
The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Iloilo City in their special session yesterday declared the city under the state of calamity after 50 barangays were affected by flood brought by typhoon Jolina.
The declaration was made after City Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, chair of the committee on social services, sponsored a resolution for the city to be declared under the state of calamity because of the damages caused by heavy rains and strong winds.
In his resolution, Ganzon said the declaration is important to give relief and support to the affected families and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures. The resolution was unanimously approved by the members of the city council.
The declaration will allow the city government to spend its five percent calamity fund.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Antonio Pesina questioned the data presented by Ganzon on the number of families and barangays in the city as reported by the City Disaster Coordinating Council and the City Social Welfare Services Office.
Ganzon, in his proposed resolution cited the data gathered by CSWDO as of 1 p.m. Monday. However, what was provided to the members of the council was the statistics taken morning of the same day.
Based on the report from CSWDO there are 41 affected barangays, 5,517 affected families, 10 houses totally damaged and 12 houses partially damaged. Of the 41 affected barangays, Jaro district has the most number of affected barangays which is 24.
Pesina said he does not question the validity in declaring the city under the state but it is also important to straighten the records regarding the affected barangays and families.
Ganzon said he was told by Engr. Joe Papa that they were not able to make a final report on the number of affected barangays, families and houses but attested the validity of the CSWDO report.
On his part, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo said the question on the number of affected barangays whether it is 29 or 41 is immaterial since the memorandum order from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) states when two or more barangays are affected by disaster, the Sangguniang Bayan or Panlungsod upon the recommendation of the municipal or city mayor may declare the entire municipality or city under the state of calamity.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, the social welfare reported that there are already 50 affected barangays, 6,877 affected families, 14 houses are totally destroyed and 67 houses are partially damaged.
Yesterday’s special session was called for by Mayor Jerry Treñas to address the needs of the affected families. Treñas asked the legislative body to convene in which Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog and the entire council heeded considering its urgency.
The chief executive said CSWDO, City Engineers Office (CEO) and the City Health Office (CHO) will meet to discuss what they need for budgetary purposes.