HEAVY RAINS CAUSE FLOODING: Bacolod solon asks DPWH to check on drainage works

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya said he asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bacolod District Office to check the drainage works along national roads after the flooding here Friday due to massive rains.

Gasataya said that while there were drainage works undertaken before, “we have to look at the volume of heavy rainfall which was 102 millimeters (mm) equivalent to 3 days of rain plus the high tide.”

“But I asked DPWH to look at the drainage works along National roads and make a report as well as recommendations,” he added.

He also said that the DPWH should look at why the existing flood wall in Carvic, Brgy. Mandalagan overflowed and flooded the area in front of Robinson’s mall.

Gasataya said he hopes DPWH can finish their inspection and come up with recommendations as soon as possible.

Earlier, Aaron Bais, head of Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said incessant rains caused flooding with the water reaching gutter-level to chest-high in various areas in the city including the downtown area.

Bais said water rose in Bangga Cory, Gaisano Grand Mall, Robinsons Place, SM City, barangays Pahanocoy, Tangub, Mandalagan, Montevista, Singcang-Airport, Taculing, 1, and 10.

Hundreds of commuters were also stranded and many were forced to walk home as public utility vehicles and private vehicles were caught in traffic for hours.

Bais said several families who were trapped in their houses were also rescued after the floodwaters quickly rose due to accumulated rainfall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“We rescued an infant, two children, four elderly, and eight adults in Barangay Montevista as their houses were near the river. The floodwaters rose to six feet,” he added.

A 5-month-old baby was swept away by the raging river current and was later found dead in the shores of Barangay 35.