BACOLOD City — A multi-sectoral pre-flood summit was held on Monday, October 20, at a local hotel to craft unified solutions to the city’s flooding challenges.
Spearheaded by the office of Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the summit brought together key national agencies, city departments, and civil society representatives to assess the current flood situation and lay the groundwork for comprehensive, long-term solutions to be finalized during the upcoming Flood Summit.
The meeting gathered Undersecretary Charles Calima and District Engineer Leah Jamero of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with representatives from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Office of the Building Official (OBO), Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), and the City Mayor’s Office.
Also in attendance were members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, punong barangays, civil society organizations, and the Anti-Baha Movement.
In his opening remarks, Benitez emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral, data-driven approach, noting that flooding is not only an environmental issue but also deeply connected to governance, urban planning, and community participation.
“Flooding is a global crisis, and we must own the solution,” he said, urging all sectors to act with urgency and unity.
During the discussions, agencies and stakeholders identified several key factors contributing to flooding in the city. These included siltation and sediment buildup in major rivers, which reduces water flow, and overgrown vegetation along riverbanks and within flood control structures, such as dikes. Encroachments and illegal structures within the 3-meter easement zones along rivers and creeks, in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines), as well as informal settlements beneath bridges and along waterways that obstruct drainage systems, were also cited.
Moreover, participants noted weak enforcement of environmental and zoning laws, including Republic Act (RA) 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and related local ordinances, alongside unregulated small-scale quarry operations that contribute to soil erosion and river blockage. The lack of updated river profiling and hydrological data necessary for infrastructure design and flood mapping, the absence of a unified Flood Control Master Plan integrating DPWH and local projects, and the ongoing need for continuous information, education, and cleanup campaigns led by barangays and community groups under RA 7160 (Local Government Code) were also highlighted as critical areas to address.
Benitez lauded the ongoing efforts of Mayor Greg Gasataya, the city government, BENRO, and barangay officials, who have initiated river and drainage clearing operations in partnership with the DPWH since July 1.
“Knowing the problem is one thing; doing something about it is another. This pre-flood summit gives us a clear picture of what we face. The next step is to act decisively and together, guided by data, discipline, and the spirit of Bayanihan,” Benitez said.
The summit concluded with a strong consensus among all agencies and stakeholders to finalize technical studies, policy recommendations, and coordinated response measures, which will be presented and adopted during the main Flood Summit./PN
