ILOILO City — Mayor Raisa Treñas has praised Iloilo City’s rapid and extensive response to recent weather disturbances, which included tropical cyclones "Crising," "Dante," and "Emong," along with the intensified southwest monsoon that displaced over 50,000 residents. However, she expressed concerns about ongoing gaps in disaster preparedness and communication within barangay communities that affected the city's overall emergency response.

Reflecting on the coordinated evacuation and relief efforts, Treñas acknowledged their effectiveness but pointed out significant coordination issues at the grassroots level, noting that not all barangays responded promptly or efficiently. "One thing we observed is the need for more training at the barangay level because that is where control often falters," she stated. "With 180 barangays across our city, enhancing disaster training and improving communication channels is essential. The media’s role in spreading information has been a great help."

The mayor disclosed that an online meeting with all barangay officials was conducted prior to the storms, but attendance was incomplete. "Some did not attend, which greatly impacted our efforts. The media’s support was crucial in raising public awareness," she explained.

When asked if barangays failed in their duties, Treñas clarified that capacity constraints, not a lack of intent, were the main challenge, particularly with documentation management amid consecutive emergencies. "Barangay officials, especially in areas like Jaro, were overwhelmed and exhausted," she said. "If Typhoon Crising had not hit, responses might have been more effective. But with continuous storms, there’s only so much people can handle."

To address these issues, Treñas proposed implementing a system where barangay leaders appoint primary and secondary responders to avoid overreliance on the barangay captain alone. "During Typhoon Dante and Emong, the barangay captain became incapacitated due to exhaustion, which paralyzed response efforts," she explained.

Despite these obstacles, the mayor reiterated her dedication to building stronger disaster management capacity at the community level, underscoring that a resilient Iloilo City starts with empowered barangays.