BACOLOD City — Heavy overnight rains inundated four barangays in Bacolod City, forcing 15 families, or 70 individuals, to temporarily evacuate as city authorities conducted rescue operations and assessed flood-affected areas.
According to reports from the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), the affected barangays were Mansilingan, with nine families or 45 individuals displaced; Cabug, with three families or 10 individuals; Pahanocoy, with two families or nine individuals; and Sum-ag, where one family composed of six members sought temporary shelter.
The CDRRMO immediately deployed rescue teams to flooded communities as continuous rainfall caused water levels to rise in several areas. Evacuees were accommodated in designated evacuation centers established by the affected barangays while authorities monitored the situation.
City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo said Mayor Greg Gasataya directed the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) on Tuesday, July 14, to inspect and assess areas affected by flooding following the heavy rains that occurred on the evening of July 13.
“The assessment aims to determine the causes of the flooding and identify appropriate interventions that the city government can immediately implement,” Mayo said.
Initial findings showed that several flood-prone areas remained passable despite the intense rainfall. These included GK Banago, Mandalagan (Carvic 1 and 2), Palanca Road near SM City Bacolod, and Araneta Street near Gaisano City—areas that have historically experienced flooding during heavy downpours.
Mayo said the mayor’s directive seeks to ensure the city can promptly implement measures to prevent similar flooding incidents in the future.
He added that Gasataya welcomed the initial positive results of the city’s ongoing flood mitigation projects, particularly in GK Banago, the Reclamation Area, Mandalagan, and portions of the Gaisano area.
“We will continue working to ensure the safety of our residents and strengthen our flood control efforts across the city,” Mayo said.
The city government said the assessment will serve as the basis for future infrastructure improvements and flood mitigation projects aimed at reducing the impact of heavy rains on vulnerable communities.
