Bacolod, DOST partner on flood early warning system

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The city government has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to establish a Community-Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) aimed at strengthening local disaster preparedness.

Mayor Greg Gasataya and DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signed during the opening of “Handa Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Innovations in Climate and Disaster Resilience Nationwide Exposition 2025” – Visayas leg at the SMX Convention Center on Monday.

The CBFEWS project will utilize real-time data from rainfall and river monitoring stations to provide localized flood alerts to at-risk communities.

This will enable the city to issue timely warnings and facilitate quicker evacuations.

In his message, Gasataya emphasized that science-based and data-based decision-making are vital in managing urban flooding, citing recent incidents that prompted him to seek technical guidance from the DOST.

“In urban areas like Bacolod, time is very, very important,” he said, recalling the recent flooding that hit some parts of the city in the past weeks.

Following earlier discussions with DOST and PAGASA in August, seven river monitoring systems and nine rain monitoring systems will be installed in strategic areas across Bacolod, funded by the city government.

“These systems will help us make quick, data-driven decisions,” Gasataya said, adding that the initiative will allow Bacolod to rely on its own localized data rather than information from Cebu or Manila.

“Hindi mawawala ang flooding dahil kahit saan meron. I think that’s a realization that each and every one of us should understand. But what is important is that we will be able to make quick decisions and response in times of situations like this,” the mayor said.

In a media interview on the sidelines of the event, Gasataya said that DOST-PAGASA has identified the sites for the installation of these monitoring systems.

“We will just wait for the full implementation of the project as long as the equipment are ready for installation,” he added.

In his keynote message, Solidum underscored the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction, noting that “accurate, timely, and localized data” is key to effective planning and response.

The MOA signing was part of the broader Handa Pilipinas Expo, which showcases innovations in climate and disaster resilience.

During the event, DOST also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strengthen efforts in building climate- and disaster-resilient local government units (LGUs).

The MOU was signed by Solidum and DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, and DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo Iringan.

DOST additionally turned over the Handa Pilipinas Guidebook to provincial leaders and the Water Compendium to the Technological University of the Philippines–Visayas, while launching Project SIGNAL, a new initiative enhancing disaster preparedness and early warning capabilities.

The three-day exposition features interactive exhibits, plenary sessions, technical seminars, and a student pitching competition on disaster risk reduction and management innovations.

Handa Pilipinas Visayas Leg 2025 runs from Oct. 27 to 29.