Over 3,500 Families Displaced by Weekend Floods in Negros

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – About 3,121 families in Talisay City and 441 families in Bacolod City were displaced by severe flooding over the weekend, triggered by heavy Southwest Monsoon rains and aggravated by a high tide past midnight.

In Talisay City, Social Welfare Officer Dionela Madrona said the flooding forced 15,605 individuals from 16 barangays to evacuate Friday night.

Evacuees sought temporary shelter at the Talisay Public Plaza, covered courts and day care centers, but returned home by Saturday morning.

The Talisay City government distributed food packs, energy drinks and meals, while the Angels Wings Foundation of Mayor Rowena Lizares donated rice to the affected families.

Mayor Lizares, accompanied by her husband, former Mayor Eric Lizares, personally distributed the relief items to the evacuees.

Madrona said the rain began at 9:05 p.m. Friday and continued until past midnight, coinciding with a 1 a.m. high tide on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City government provided emergency aid to 441 families through ongoing relief efforts coordinated by the Department of Social Services and Development.

Essential supplies such as food packs, rice, blankets, mosquito nets, diapers and hygiene kits were distributed across eight coastal evacuation centers in northern barangays.

Mayor Greg Gasataya stayed overnight at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) from Friday evening, July 11, to Saturday morning, July 12, to monitor the situation and lead rescue coordination.

He later joined relief operations at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School 2.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all volunteer groups assisting us, as rescue requests since last night until dawn have been non-stop,” Gasataya said.

He reported floodwaters as deep as four feet in Purok Tamburong, Mabinuligay, Pine Tree (Brgy. Bata) and parts of Banago and Mandalagan.

Additional affected areas include Barangays 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 18 and Villamonte.

Gasataya attributed the flooding to rapid urbanization and infrastructure issues.

“Previously, rainwater was absorbed by the ground,” he said.

“Now, with more concrete surfaces, runoff flows quickly into low-lying areas.”

He added that clogged waterways and poor drainage also worsened the situation.

The city will begin intensified dredging of northern waterways on Monday, July 14.