BACOLOD City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Almana Construction have been urged to fast-track the construction of the diversion channel along Burgos Street in the reclamation area here, with the goal of making it functional by the end of the year.
This came following a joint conference on August 26 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), initiated by Mayor Greg Gasataya with DPWH officials and the project contractor.
Gasataya assured that design and equipment concerns would be resolved with the simultaneous start of inlet works at Mambuloc Creek on August 27, a move expected to facilitate water flow from the creek and nearby drainages during channel construction, thereby reducing flood risks.
According to the mayor, the DPWH has prepared a detailed engineering plan for the coastline outfall, which will be implemented by Almana Construction. To complement this, the city government has committed to provide a flap gate and a sluice gate to prevent seawater backflow, especially during high tide. The equipment is already on order and is expected to arrive within three months.
The inlet is slated for completion within two months, with the immediate installation of the gates at the outfall once the equipment arrives.
“As for the pumping station and other engineering interventions, these will be handled by the national government,” Gasataya said. “On our part, the most important thing is to open and operationalize the channel at the soonest possible time because people have long been waiting for this project to be functional.”
He added that having a clear timetable ensures accountability and gives the public assurance that the project is making progress.
The P152-million diversion channel project, which began in 2023, is seen as a major solution to Bacolod’s persistent flooding problem, particularly during the rainy season./PN
