Thousands of residents remain displaced in Iligan City days after Tropical Storm Basyang, as cleanup and recovery continue in flood-hit communities, prompting Cagayan de Oro City, nearby local governments, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 10 to mobilize urgent assistance.
City data show that more than 24,000 individuals, or over 6,200 families, were affected by the storm, with many still unable to return home due to mud-filled streets, damaged infrastructure, and debris-clogged waterways.
However, DSWD-10 spokesperson Oliver Inodeo said the reported figures remain preliminary, as LGU profiling is still ongoing.
He advised verifying the data with the concerned LGUs or the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), noting that assessments through the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) are still in progress.
Recognizing the scale of the need, DILG-10 appealed to unaffected local government units in Northern Mindanao to extend support, particularly heavy equipment needed to accelerate debris clearing and road rehabilitation.
Cagayan de Oro City—one of the nearest major cities to Iligan after El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental—was among the first to dispatch response teams and heavy equipment to support cleanup operations.
Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD), City Engineering Office, and City Information Office to deploy additional manpower and equipment, including payloaders, dump trucks, and water tankers, to assist Iligan’s recovery.
The Cagayan de Oro City local government has deployed personnel and heavy equipment—including dump trucks, water tankers, and a payloader—to assist ongoing road clearing operations in Iligan City following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Basyang. The move, ordered by City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, reflects the spirit of bayanihan and inter-city cooperation in times of disaster. (Photos courtesy of CIO)
Beyond city resources, Uy also sent personal equipment to reinforce operations on the ground. These include three 10-wheeler trucks, one payloader, and one water tanker.
In total, two trailers, four 10-wheeler trucks, two payloaders, and two water tankers have been mobilized and are now assisting in clearing debris and sanitizing flood-affected areas, according to city officials.
DILG-10 emphasized that rapid inter-LGU assistance is critical, noting that delays in cleanup prolong displacement, disrupt livelihoods, and strain local resources.
The agency urged neighboring cities and municipalities to continue extending support as recovery enters a critical phase.
Assisting LGUs were advised to coordinate with the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center or DILG field officers to ensure efficient deployment of resources.
As families begin the slow process of rebuilding, officials stressed that sustained cooperation among nearby cities will play a key role in helping Iligan’s storm survivors safely return home and resume daily life.
