PBBM backs Bacolod flood control, port upgrades

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By Glazyl M. Jopson and Dolly Yasa

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that sustained dredging and clearing of waterways can significantly reduce flooding, citing scientific projections that such efforts could lessen inundation by 50 to 60 percent nationwide.

“If we can clean all rivers, creeks, and esteros, remove garbage, and continue dredging, scientists estimate that flooding can be reduced by at least 50 to 60 percent,” Marcos said during his visit to Bacolod City on Friday, Dec. 12.

He made the statement while inspecting Mambuloc Creek under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Oplan Kontra Baha project and later inaugurating the newly rehabilitated Banago Port.

“Our Kontra Baha program for big cities started in Metro Manila, then Cebu, and now Bacolod,” Marcos said. “As in other areas, we are clearing drainage systems, dredging waterways, and improving waste collection to reduce flooding.”

Launched on Dec. 5, Oplan Kontra Baha is a short-term flood mitigation initiative led by Bacolod Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya.

It aims to address heavy siltation and blockages in waterways that contributed to severe flooding in the city starting in October.

The project, which runs until June 2026, covers dredging and maintenance of nearly 31,000 cubic meters of drainage systems along national and local roads and more than 2.17 million cubic meters across nine major rivers, creeks, and esteros spanning 169 kilometers citywide.

Key issues identified include clogged drainage systems, poor stormwater flow, illegal structures, and weak waste management practices.

Proposed solutions include continuous dredging, removing obstructions, enforcing waste disposal rules, and requiring establishments to connect to sewage treatment facilities.

About 3,000 river warriors under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers program were earlier deployed for cleanup efforts.

Benitez said the city’s recent declogging initiatives have already shown measurable improvements.

“The amount of sediment and garbage we cleared will help ease flooding,” he said. “Many of our problems come from clogged water outlets.”

He expressed optimism that the upcoming heavy rains would demonstrate the program’s effectiveness.

“Hopefully, when heavy rains come again, we will see real improvement — and this proves that declogging and cleaning rivers and creeks is the true solution,” Benitez said.

Benitez also highlighted the need to complete the city’s diversion channel system, which currently relies on manual operations.

“Right now, during low tide, floodgates are manually opened, and during high tide they are closed,” he said.

“With a pumping station, water from the diversion channel can be expelled anytime. I hope the President is updated on this so it can be considered for the 2026 national budget,” he added.

Benitez said the Second Flood Mitigation Summit has helped bring Bacolod closer to crafting a long-term flood control master plan.

“At the end of the day, we will determine which projects should be included in the master plan,” he said. “This is just the beginning of solving Bacolod’s flooding issues.”

He added that Bacolod’s model could be implemented nationwide.

“I will suggest to the President that this be implemented across the country,” he said. “Just as a previous administration had an executive order for clearing operations, perhaps we can have one declaring waterway clearing and obstruction removal a national priority.”

Meanwhile, Marcos led the unveiling of the marker for the newly rehabilitated PHP 568 million Banago Port, which now spans 11,334.75 square meters.

The upgraded port features a modern Port Operations Building, a widened causeway for improved road access, an expanded operational area for cargo handling, and a covered walkway to protect passengers from harsh weather.

The port’s daily passenger capacity increased to 500 from the previous 50 following the opening of the new passenger terminal on the first floor of the operations building.

“This will now serve as the standard design for terminals and ports nationwide,” Marcos said. “Having a uniform design ensures that wherever passengers travel, they will know where to buy tickets, where to wait, and which areas to access.”

“Kaya malaking bagay at saka nakita naman ninyo, iba na talaga pagka maayos at maaliwalas to make the traveling experience para sa ating mga kababayan a little more pleasant,” he added.

The Philippine Ports Authority said Banago Port plays a vital role in passenger movement, roll-on/roll-off operations, and the transport of essential goods such as sugar, rice, and corn.

Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago joined Marcos during the port inspection.

In an interview, Santiago said the President’s visit underscored his administration’s commitment to improving transport facilities across Negros Island and the country.

“Makikita din niya na ito ang resulta ng kanyang vision, ito ang resulta ng kanyang mandato na magbigay o maghandog ng mas moderno, mas kumportable, at mas ligtas na mga pasilidad for transportation para sa ating mga kababayan,” Santiago said.

He added that other ports in the region will also be upgraded to improve services for travelers and port workers.