BACOLOD City – Following the severe flooding that hit the city from the evening of July 11 until the morning of July 12, Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya have ordered concerned agencies to act without delay.
The flooding, caused by heavy monsoon rains that reached up to 34 millimeters — equivalent to two weeks’ worth of rainfall — affected 12 barangays and displaced 1,152 families or 5,312 individuals.
In response, the two top city officials convened an emergency meeting on July 14 at the City Mayor’s Office in the Bacolod City Government Center. Present were members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and key response agencies including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)–City District Engineering Office, City Engineering Office, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Discussions focused on immediate remedies and long-term flood mitigation strategies.
Congressman Benitez instructed the DPWH to immediately submit cost estimates for a proposed flood control project to accelerate its implementation. Among the priority measures discussed were the installation of floodgates and pumping stations in flood-prone areas such as Barangays Banago and Mandalagan to enhance water discharge and prevent water surges.
“We cannot afford to waste any more time. We must act now,” said Congressman Benitez.
Mayor Gasataya echoed the urgency, urging all departments and the City Council to work together and implement effective solutions.
“We can’t wait any longer. All departments and the City Council should work together. Let’s have quick and real solutions. Let’s get it done,” he said.
Also tackled during the meeting were the identification of optimal water channels, clearing of blocked floodways, and emergency dredging of the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River
Benitez said he has taken on the task of sourcing funds for the installation of six floodgates to be placed along five major rivers — Banago, Mandalagan, Lupit, Magsungay, and Mambuloc — as well as at the diversion channel in the Reclamation Area.
Each floodgate project is estimated to cost between P200 million and P250 million, he added.
The city government reiterated its commitment to implementing both immediate and long-term solutions to mitigate flooding and protect Bacolodnons from future disasters./PN
