ILOILO CITY – The multi-billion Iloilo floodcontrol project in Jaro district will soon be completed by December this year in a move by the national government to spare city residents here of up to P5 billion annual losses in properties due to floods.

This was assured by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the people of Iloilo City recently. According to Patrick B. Gatan, head of the DPWH-Project Management Office for Major Flood Control (DPWH-PMO-MFCPI), the order from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. directed them to rush the completion of over P2.5 billion floodcontrol projects contracted by two foreign-based contractors.

This highly urbanized southern city has been suffering from flood damages almost every year due to the insufficient flow capacity of the Jaro River and poor drainage system in the Iloilo River Basin. This situation always deters investors and business locators to come here. Read more »

PAVIA, ILOILO – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the construction of the multi-billion peso Iloilo floodcontrol project starting at the mouth of two congruent rivers here as a major achievement of her administration.

The President visited the project August 13, 2009 and for the first time, saw the project accomplishment along the Anilao Bridge here and to determine what more can she give to the people here.

Department of Public Works and Highways project management officer Engr. Patrick Gatan briefed the President on the overall 86 percent accomplishment or some 5 percent ahead of schedule of completion including the Jaro floodway which is slated for completion by December 2009.

PMO Engr. Al Fruto based at the project site said that while the floodway is scheduled for completion this yearend, the whole project components will be in full operation only by July 10, 2010. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) of this city has approved and confirmed on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the sanitation management mechanics of the Iloilo City Environment Code of 2004.”

City mayor and board chairman Jerry P. Treñas issued Executive Order No. 26 Series of 2009 adopting the IRR of Title VIII and pertinent sections of Title VII in relation to Title V of Regulation Ordinance No. 2004-149 otherwise known as the Environmental Code of the City of Iloilo.

The mayors’ executive order will likewise call for the deputization of barangay officials and other persons as Sanitation Officers tasked to monitor and apprehend persons found violating the law. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately start its P50 million dredging project at the Dungon Creek here in identified staging areas along the 15-kilometer creek without houses.

Treñas said there are several areas where dredging can be started without hassle from residents and the excavated soil from the creek can be dried and brought to the Calajunan Creek as soil cover of the old dumpsite.

The initial dredging at the staging areas will be inspected by DPWH soon in a move to immediately start the project designed to help deter flashfloods. The long stretch of the creek from Sambag, Jaro to an area behind Marina Restaurant at the diversion road is expected to pass by 13 barangays in Jaro and Mandurriao districts. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – Admitting that indeed there was a closure order for the Calajunan open dumpsite in 2007, two city officials incharge of the dumpsite said there is an ongoing preparatory work for the eventual conversion of the dumpsite into a sanitary landfill in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003.

Landfill manager Engr. Neil Ravena and Engr. Raul Gallo of the General Services Office incharge of garbage collection here said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given its approval for a five-year transitional period or until Year 2012 so as to give time for the city government to implement the gradual development of a sanitary landfill.

A sanitary landfill will cost the city government more than P50 million per hectare and the Calajunan dumpsite is more than 23 hectares, Gallo said. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The preservation and revival of the Iloilo River remains a top priority of the Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) after it was established that 120 barangays out of total 180 city barangays here drain its sewage at the river.

The problem was aggravated by 30 other barangays from nearby towns of Leganes, Oton and San Miguel, Iloilo which also drain its sewerage at the river.

“The problem is alarming, considering that the river, although an estuarine of the Iloilo Strait and arm of the sea, is now known as the biggest septic tank in Iloilo,” according to city environment and natural resources officer, Engr. Noel Hechanova .

“Not only that. The river is fast dying due to heavy pollution and siltation, if we do not do anything to save it from man’s slaughter,” the CENRO said. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The technical working group of this city’s solid waste management board chaired by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is finalizing the solid waste management plan to beat the deadline of the national government’s grant of 40 percent from its national SWM Program for local government units.

This was announced by Treñas after a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DENR Secretary Lito Atienza recently to discuss the many provisions of Republic Act 9003 and other environmental laws.

Treñas said the city may foresee a bigger grant from the national government should its SWM Plan be implemented immediately within this year.

The city chief executive is also ordering the fasttrack implementation of projects at the Calajunan disposal area in a move to convert the same into a sanitary landfill.

The city has contracted a P90 million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines and 8 projects are already completed, 4 ongoing projects, 1 project already awarded and 5 are for checking. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The first commercially viable coal-fired power plant in Western Visayas will be commissioned by the last quarter of 2010 at its site at Brgy. Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City. .

This was announced by Engr. Adrian Moncada, president of the Global Business Power Corp., proponent of the P16 billion power plant investments during the Power 101 power situationer report conducted by the Iloilo Business Club was April 17, 2009 at the Hotel del Rio here.

Moncada admitted that landfill development is currently ongoing in the 24-hectare site and actual construction will start by July or August this year. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The city government will get some P50 million as its share in the initial partial release of P483 million Paglaum Fund and will be used for the dredging of Dungon Creek in Mandurriao district.

City mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the creek is an important waterway that absorbs surface water during the rainy season and must be rehabilitated and dredged to pave the way for surface water to pass through and go to the Iloilo River.

Rapid urbanization and the emergence of housing villages in the area have constricted the flow of water that led to flashfloods. Super typhoon Frank that occurred last June 21-22, 2009 had flooded for several days the downstream area including those along the diversion road. Read more »

ILOILO CITY – The solid waste management board chaired by city mayor Jerry P. Treñas will start full implementation of the anti-littering provisions of city Regulation Ordinance No. 149 or the Environmental Code of Iloilo City starting May 16, 2009 in all 180 barangays here.

Treñas said a comprehensive training module is currently being prepared by the waste board and the city environment and natural resources office for the conduct of a training-seminar to all barangay chiefs and four other persons to include barangay tanods and members of the barangay council. Read more »