BACOLOD City — The city government has launched a community-based flood early warning system to provide timely information on rainfall and rising water levels, strengthen disaster preparedness, and protect residents in flood-prone areas.
Mayor Greg Gasataya led the kickoff of the Community-Based Flood Early Warning System project on October 22, 2026, which will cover 19 strategic locations across the city.
The project involves installing 33 monitoring and warning devices and 12 smart switches to improve the monitoring of rainfall, river water levels, and other environmental conditions.
The system will use automated sensors, monitoring equipment, and warning sirens to detect potential flooding and alert communities, giving residents and emergency responders time to prepare before conditions worsen.
Equipment will be installed at strategic locations, including barangay halls, gyms, schools, and other public facilities. Water-level monitoring devices will also be placed on bridges, while flood warning systems will be installed along rivers and creeks.
City Administrator Atty. Steven Mark Mayo said the project was timely and necessary to provide reliable, advance information for more efficient disaster response.
Monitoring data will be transmitted to a unified online platform, allowing authorities to assess developing hazards and coordinate emergency responses. The city also plans to integrate the platform with its G-App to improve information sharing.
The warning sirens, capable of reaching sound levels of up to 130 decibels, are designed to alert residents when dangerous conditions arise.
The project is expected to take 180 days to complete, covering site validation, system design, equipment installation, testing, training, and turnover.
Once operational, the system is expected to provide real-time information on rainfall volume and river water levels, enabling authorities to issue warnings earlier and mobilize response teams more effectively.
Gasataya earlier emphasized the importance of science-based disaster management, saying localized data would help the city respond faster, improve planning, and protect communities vulnerable to calamities.
The city government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed an agreement in October last year for the establishment of the flood early warning system.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Bacolod’s capacity to monitor weather-related hazards and provide residents with critical information to prepare for possible flooding./PN
