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WV News Updates, Iloilo City (2026)

04/09/2026

Peace Consciousness Month is observed every September in the Philippines, serving as a national reminder of the importance of peace, unity, and harmony. Its roots can be traced to the government’s efforts to strengthen the culture of peace and promote peaceful approaches to resolving conflicts. The observance was institutionalized through Proclamation No. 675, s. 2004, which declared September of every year as National Peace Consciousness Month. It aims to encourage Filipinos to actively participate in peacebuilding and to recognize that lasting peace is a shared responsibility.

The observance is important because peace goes beyond the absence of conflict, it means creating communities where respect, dialogue, justice, understanding, and cooperation can thrive. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s history of conflict while celebrating the continuing efforts of individuals, communities, and institutions toward reconciliation and sustainable peace.

This September, let us remember that peace begins with each of us. Through kindness, empathy, meaningful dialogue, and respect for differences, we can help build a more peaceful and united Philippines.

04/09/2026

The air quality in deteriorated significantly due to haze, with the Environmental Management Bureau 6 (EMB-6) recording a “Very Unhealthy” PM2.5 Air Quality Index at its monitoring station in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz. The Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH-6) advised residents to minimize outdoor activities and exposure, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Residents were encouraged to wear N95 masks or other suitable face coverings and keep doors and windows closed when possible.

Authorities reported that haze was also observed in several areas of Iloilo Province. The EMB-6 said the haze may have been caused by smoke from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, transported toward the Philippines by southwest monsoon winds. Officials emphasized that visible haze does not necessarily mean that air quality is unhealthy in every location, so residents should rely on official monitoring and advisories. People were urged to remain alert for symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, and eye irritation while the haze persists.

02/09/2026

Haze from Indonesia has reached parts of Panay, raising concerns about air quality and possible health effects. Children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory conditions may be more vulnerable to exposure.

Residents are advised to stay informed about local air-quality updates, limit prolonged outdoor exposure when conditions are poor, wear appropriate masks when outdoors, keep indoor spaces well-ventilated when safe, stay hydrated, and seek medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing or other concerning symptoms.

This is a precautionary advisory. Stay informed, take sensible precautions, and follow updates from local authorities and health agencies.

02/09/2026

The planned Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project is now estimated to cost PHP 331.59 billion, but officials warn that further delays could push the price even higher due to inflation and rising construction costs.

The project’s estimate has increased significantly over the years from PHP 53 billion in a 1999 JICA study to its current figure following major design revisions requiring deeper foundations, additional support piles, and structural changes.

The completed detailed engineering design was signed on August 28, with the government targeting procurement through mid-2027. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q4 2027 for the Panay-Guimaras section and Q1 2028 for the Guimaras-Negros section, with full completion targeted by mid-2033.

The roughly 32-kilometer bridge system is expected to provide a permanent road connection among Panay, Guimaras, and Negros, potentially reducing the current 3-4 hour ferry and Ro-Ro journey and improving transportation, trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.

01/09/2026

Thirty schools in Western Visayas have requested damage assessments following the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Obet, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) situation report as of August 30. DepEd warned that continued moderate to occasionally heavy rains could trigger flash floods and landslides, potentially causing further disruptions to school operations across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region.

Nationwide, 1,658 schools have undergone rapid damage assessment, involving 5,731 classrooms with minor damage, 2,055 with major damage, and 2,083 totally damaged classrooms. The estimated cost of reconstruction, repairs, and clearing has reached ₱6.56 billion including ₱5.207 billion for rebuilding 484 schools, ₱1.027 billion for major repairs in 630 schools, ₱280.819 million for minor repairs in 1,459 schools, and ₱47.889 million for cleanup and clearing operations. Meanwhile, 348 schools nationwide were being used as temporary shelters for 11,320 displaced families. DepEd continues to assess affected schools, monitor class suspensions, and coordinate clearing and repair efforts to ensure the safety of learners and personnel.

28/08/2026

6 fiber boats serving the Iloilo-Guimaras route have temporarily stopped operating due to expired documents and pending safety and compliance requirements, reducing the number of vessels available to ferry passengers.

The affected boats are operated by the Guimaras Island Transport Multipurpose Cooperative (JITMC). Only five of its 11 vessels serving the Jordan route remain operational, resulting in longer waiting times, particularly during busy Mondays and Fridays.

MARINA 6 said the expired requirements include safety inspections, safety management documents, and seafarer certification requirements. Some vessels are also scheduled for dry-docking.

To help address the reduced capacity, a larger JITMC vessel was deployed beginning August 19 under an interim certificate while completing its remaining requirements. Other ferry operators also continue serving the route.

MARINA reminded boat operators to begin renewing documents early to prevent service disruptions and ensure passenger safety.

📌 Passenger advisory: Expect possible longer waiting times on the Iloilo-Guimaras route while vessel availability remains reduced.

27/08/2026

54 local government units (LGUs) across Western Visayas have been reclassified out of the red zone under the government’s African swine fever (ASF) zoning system, signaling progress in the region’s efforts to contain the disease.

Based on the National ASF Prevention and Control Program’s latest classification, 45 LGUs moved from red (infected) to pink (buffer) zones, while nine advanced directly to the yellow (surveillance) zone.

Iloilo recorded the highest number of upgraded LGUs with 20, followed by Aklan with 17, Capiz with 11, Antique with 4, and Guimaras with 2.

The reclassification could provide greater opportunities for the region’s hog industry, as zoning determines restrictions on the movement of live pigs, pork products, and swine genetic materials. Red zones remain subject to the strictest quarantine and control measures.

Authorities continue to monitor affected areas and implement biosecurity and surveillance measures to prevent the spread of ASF. The disease is highly contagious among pigs, but does not infect humans.

The latest development offers a positive sign for Western Visayas’ livestock sector as more communities move away from the highest-risk classification.

26/08/2026

The Government has formally donated 7,000 square meters of city-owned property in Barangay San Pedro, Molo District to the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the construction of a new Hall of Justice and Prosecution Complex.

The donation was formalized on August 25, 2026, during Iloilo City’s 89th Charter Day celebration, with Mayor Raisa Treñas, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, and Supreme Court Administrator Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta signing the deeds of donation. Of the donated property, 4,000 square meters will be allocated to the Supreme Court for the new Hall of Justice, while the remaining 3,000 square meters will be used for the Regional, Provincial, and City Prosecutor offices.

The project is intended to replace the Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice, whose structural condition became a major concern following a series of earthquakes that affected Iloilo beginning in September 2025. Court operations were disrupted, forcing Regional Trial Court offices and courtrooms to transfer to the smaller Hall of Justice annex and the nearby Castle Chateau Hotel. Prosecutors and Public Attorney’s Office personnel have also continued serving clients under limited conditions.

The donated property is part of a larger city-owned parcel in San Pedro and is located near the Iloilo River Esplanade, Commission on Elections integrated field office, city molecular laboratories, and the city hospital currently under construction. However, construction cannot immediately begin because 181 informal settler families currently occupying the site must first be relocated. The city has committed to completing land surveys, property segregation, and relocation activities by the second quarter of 2027.

Under the agreement, the Supreme Court and DOJ are expected to develop and utilize the property within five years after the completion of land surveys and site clearing, with possible extensions through mutual agreement. Failure to comply with the conditions may result in the property reverting to the city government.

Mayor Treñas described the donation as more than simply transferring public land, saying it represents an investment in public service, good governance, and the rule of law. She emphasized that the future complex should provide safe, dignified, accessible, and modern facilities where residents can seek justice and exercise their rights.

Justice Secretary Vida likewise welcomed the donation, saying the property provides a crucial foundation for facilities that will allow justice workers to serve the public more effectively. Meanwhile, Justice Gomez-Estoesta recalled that she and her team visited Iloilo five times after the earthquake while working with city officials to find a permanent solution for the affected courts.

The new complex is envisioned as an integrated and modern justice center where courts and prosecution offices can operate more efficiently and where Ilonggos can access legal services with greater ease, dignity, and confidence. For city officials, the project is ultimately aimed at ensuring that the physical facilities supporting the justice system are as strong and dependable as the institutions they serve.

24/08/2026

Nearly 89,000 children aged 6 to 59 months in province have received free measles-rubella (MR) vaccines as part of the 2026 Ligtas Tigdas supplemental immunization campaign.

As of August 20, a total of 88,929 children had been vaccinated out of the province’s 172,360 target, giving Iloilo an overall vaccination coverage of 51.59% on the ninth day of the campaign.

The campaign, running from August 10 to 28, aims to close immunization gaps and prevent measles and rubella outbreaks. Four local government units have already surpassed the campaign’s 76.5% cumulative target:

📍 Miagao – 88.76%
📍 Guimbal – 82.41%
📍 San Enrique – 80.87%
📍 Lemery – 77.72%

Meanwhile, Santa Barbara and Tigbauan recorded coverage of 70.45% and 70.07%, respectively. Twelve other LGUs have vaccinated more than half of their target children.

The MR vaccine is free for eligible children regardless of previous immunization status. Parents and guardians can have their children vaccinated at health centers, fixed vaccination sites, and temporary barangay posts, with vaccination teams continuing community visits until August 28.

Health officials also emphasized the importance of credible vaccine information, noting that the World Health Organization recommends at least 95% coverage with two vaccine doses to interrupt community transmission of measles.

The campaign comes as Western Visayas works to address rising measles cases in the region, which increased from 315 in 2024 to 444 in 2025, a 41% rise. In Iloilo, however, reported measles-rubella cases fell by 77.3%, from 211 during the same period in 2025 to 48 cases from January 4 to August 8, 2026. No deaths were recorded in either period.

19/08/2026

Floodwaters have subsided in 14 barangays in City, but 51 barangays remain affected following intense rainfall enhanced by the southwest monsoon.

The Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center reported that 517 families, or 1,679 individuals, are still staying in evacuation centers. They were among 1,056 families or 3,216 people from 65 barangays affected by flooding, with water levels reaching knee- to chest-deep in some areas.

Authorities said some monitoring stations recorded extremely torrential rainfall, with hourly rates averaging 70 millimeters and six-hour accumulations reaching as high as 160–165 millimeters.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office has activated response clusters for food and non-food assistance, camp coordination, and protection of displaced residents.

Meanwhile, the City Health Office continues monitoring waterborne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue. Doxycycline has been provided to 2,484 individuals, along with 200 doses for responders.

The Iloilo City Police Office is also conducting regular inspections of evacuation centers while keeping search-and-rescue teams and mobile patrol units on standby for possible rescue operations, traffic management and public safety assistance, particularly in flood-prone areas.

Authorities continue to urge residents in vulnerable communities to remain alert and follow official evacuation and safety advisories.

WV News Updates

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

24/08/2026

19/08/2026

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