Bacolod flooding sparks probe into diversion channel

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Heavy rainfall Wednesday afternoon caused flooding in several areas of the city, prompting local authorities to investigate drainage concerns and the operation of a diversion channel.

City Administrator Mark Mayo said in a media interview that, according to the City Engineer’s Office, the flooding was largely caused by runoff that overflowed onto roads after drainage systems reached capacity.

One of the most affected locations was the Reclamation Area, where officials discovered that the diversion channel’s outfalls were closed.

Mayo said the diversion channel was designed with a mechanical system that should automatically open when water reaches a certain volume, allowing floodwaters to flow out without human intervention.

Upon the instructions of Mayor Greg Gasataya, the outfalls were manually opened.

Mayo said the floodwaters subsided quickly after the diversion channel was cleared, significantly improving drainage in the area.

He said city officials were surprised that the diversion channel’s outfalls were closed during the flooding and would seek an explanation from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

A formal incident report from the City Engineer’s Office is expected to help determine the city’s next course of action.

The diversion channel project, launched in 2023 with a budget of PHP 152 million, was designed to convey excess floodwater and reduce flooding in the city’s Reclamation Area.

The project is part of a broader flood mitigation strategy that includes additional diversion channels across the city.

Similar flooding was reported along Lacson, Rosario, and Hernaez streets, where water levels temporarily rose before receding within a short period.

Mayo said the city immediately mobilized response teams, including personnel from the City Engineer’s Office, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other concerned agencies.

Meanwhile, northern communities, including the flood-prone Carvic area in Barangay Mandalagan, did not experience flooding despite the heavy downpour, Mayo said.

Mayo said the city received a significant volume of rain, but floodwaters in affected locations receded rapidly, preventing the displacement of families.

“We’re very fortunate because we were able to manage it and the water subsided quickly,” he added.

The city government will continue to monitor affected areas and assess other factors that may have contributed to the flooding to identify appropriate interventions and prevent similar incidents.