Bacolod Officials Press DPWH on Urgent Flood Solutions

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Bacolod Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya have ordered government agencies to act swiftly following severe flooding on Friday night that displaced more than 5,000 residents.

The two officials convened an emergency meeting Monday with the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and key response units, including the DRRMO, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bacolod City District Engineering Office, City Engineering Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bacolod City Police Office.

Benitez instructed the DPWH to immediately submit cost estimates for a proposed flood mitigation project to fast-track implementation.

Priority measures include installing floodgates and pumping stations in high-risk areas like Banago and Mandalagan to boost water discharge and reduce the risk of surges.

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. We must act now,” Benitez said.

Gasataya echoed this call, emphasizing the need for decisive and coordinated action.

“We can’t wait any longer. All departments and the City Council need to work together. Let’s have quick and real solutions. Let’s get it done,” he said.

The officials also asked concerned agencies to identify optimal water channels.

Emergency dredging operations are underway at the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River, Gasataya said.

A report submitted to the mayor showed that at least 1,152 families, or 5,312 individuals, were displaced by the flooding, which was triggered by heavy southwest monsoon rains and worsened by a high tide past midnight.

When floodwaters rose in vulnerable areas Friday night, July 11, Gasataya stayed overnight at the DRRMO command center to monitor and coordinate rescue efforts.

He later joined relief distributions at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School 2 on Saturday morning.

On Sunday afternoon, the mayor dispatched a City DRRMO team to drain remaining floodwaters in Purok Katilingban, Barangay Banago, where 132 families reside.