Over 8,000 displaced in Bacolod amid Verbena flooding

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 8,375 individuals across 28 barangays in Bacolod City have been affected by heavy rains and flooding brought by Tropical Depression Verbena, according to a 2 p.m. Tuesday report from the Department of Social Services and Development.

Thousands remain in evacuation centers as water levels continue to rise in flood-prone communities, resulting in widespread displacement.

The Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. area reported 370 individuals in its evacuation site, while Barangay Bata accommodated 278 families, or 770 individuals, at Bata Elementary School II.

Barangay Banago reported 148 families, or 431 individuals, seeking shelter at the Mahimulaton Evacuation Center and the barangay hall.

Barangay 2 recorded 48 families, or 82 individuals, in its evacuation site, and Barangay Mansilingan had 30 families, or 97 individuals, staying at the Mansilingan Gym.

In Barangay Pahanocoy, 101 families, or 342 individuals, were taking refuge across three sites — Florenceville CDC, Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary School, and Medalla Integrated School.

Additional displacement was logged in other barangays, including Barangay 31 with 14 families (35 individuals); Barangay 35 with 25 families (86 individuals); Barangay 36 with 124 families (404 individuals); Barangay 39 with 136 families (500 individuals); and Barangay Taculing with 203 families (809 individuals) across the community center, Bacolod City National High School–Senior High, and Luis Puentevella Elementary School.

Evacuees were also reported in Barangays 14, 3, 18, 10, Cabug, Montevista, Mandalagan, Estefania, Granada, and Villamonte.

In Barangay Sum-ag, 78 families, or 267 individuals, were housed at Sum-ag Elementary School and Bacolod South National High School, while 21 families, or 40 individuals, from Singcang Airport were distributed across two evacuation sites.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said rescue efforts are ongoing, led by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and several volunteer groups.

In Barangay 27, emergency responders were deployed after a wall collapsed on private property.

A rescue team was dispatched to Barangay 39 to assess the situation and aid affected families.

Two Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BCDRRMO) teams worked with BFP units in Pahanocoy, while BFP personnel also carried out rescue operations in Carvic.

Reinforcements were sent to Sum-ag to support barangay-based responders.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the DRRMO rescuers, volunteer groups, and the BFP for their dedication and tireless efforts to keep our people safe,” Gasataya said, assuring that response teams remain on standby as rainfall continues.

City authorities are monitoring all affected barangays and continuing relief operations, with food, health, and logistical assistance provided by both city and barangay governments.

Residents in riverside, low-lying, and coastal zones were advised to remain alert and follow evacuation orders if necessary.

Councilor Caesar Distrito described the flooding in Barangay Singcang-Airport as unprecedented and said, “I have never witnessed flooding like this where the entire Barangay Singcang-Airport was submerged.”

He added that Purok Mars was completely underwater, along with Purok Neptune, Kaingin, Mainabyanon, Purok Kabulakan 1 and 2, and Purok Sampaguita 1, 2, 3, 4, and Zone 2 Calong-Calong — all of which were severely affected.

“The gym in Purok Mars was almost reached by the water up to the roof,” he said.

“Even Barangays 36, 35, and 39 were affected. The two rivers — the Magsungay River and the Lupit River — overflowed, and it was fortunate that the tide was low.”

“I hope we can overcome this. What’s important is that no lives were lost.”

Most of the rescued residents in the area had already climbed onto their rooftops by the time responders arrived.

As of this writing, BCDRRMO head Dr. Anna Maria Laarni M. Pornan confirmed that there were no reported casualties or missing persons.