Despite the warm weather, flooding is apparent in a portion of Barangay Lopez in La Paz, Iloilo City.

The cause of the flood is the faulty drainage system in the District of La Paz.

The swift rise in floodwater troubles tricycle drivers plying the area.

The tricycle drivers complained against the perennial flooding despite the absence of rainfall, and that floodwater does not recede immediately.

“Mabilis lang bumaha dito. Wala pa ngang ulan, baha na. Mahirap talaga kahit sa pagbiyahe namin dito. Matagal mawala,” July Pahila, a trike driver, said.

Lopez Jaena Sur Barangay Chairman Johny Lego suggested that for an efficient drainage system, a functional floodway must be determined for its inclusion in the comprehensive drainage system.

“Kahit maayos ang drainage system kung walang labasan ang tubig, maghahanap pa rin yan ng low-lying area,” Lego said.

Faulty drainage system tops the problems that the community faces in Iloilo City, according to a survey carried out by a non-government organization.

Second on the list of top concerns is garbage management.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas went around the city and found mounds of uncollected garbage by the roadside.

Garbage in Iloilo City reaches an average of 440 tons daily.

The third problem is traffic. The news team experienced a traffic jam at about 11 a.m. in General Luna Street.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has acknowledged the survey, according to his spokesperson.

“Na-appreciate niya ang feedback ng community para sa layunin nito, saan ba tayo dapat mag-improve,” Joy Fantilaga, the mayor’s spokesperson, said.

Fantilaga pointed out that the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iloilo City has projects that focus tightly on the said top concerns.

As of this writing, Fantilaga said that an ongoing drainage project is based on the standards of the Department of Public Works and Highways for roadworks.

Coordination of barangays has also been strengthened to deal with garbage collection via the crafting of a Barangay Solid Waste Management Plan.

As for traffic, the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office has identified 20 chokepoints.

“Nag-inventory sila ngayon sa traffic chokepoints dito sa city. Pinag-aaralan na nila ngayon ang Ungka, Atrium, at ang Molo Plaza," Fantilaga added.

The LGU has mulled on conducting a similar survey to gauge the quality in the delivery of public services, Fantilaga further said.