RDCs set for priority project talks with President Marcos

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Development Councils (RDCs) are scheduled to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on April 30 to outline their proposed priority projects.

The plan was announced by Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez during a media interview at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) last Monday.

Benitez, who chairs the RDC in Western Visayas, highlighted the construction of pumping stations and floodgates to prevent flooding, underlining the importance of safeguarding the inlets.

Benitez noted the city government’s intention to install floodgates along five key rivers — Magsungay, Banago, Pahanocoy-Sum-ag, Lupit, and Mandalagan.

“This is to prevent flooding during heavy rains and prevent the entry of water caused by high tide,” the mayor said.

The proposal draws from a study by Japanese consultants who visited Bacolod in November 2023 to support the city’s flood mitigation efforts. Additionally, the mayor confirmed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed its program of works.

Recalling the state of calamity declared last August, Benitez cited the severe flooding of 33 out of 61 barangays and the displacement of over 9,000 residents due to Typhoon “Goring” and the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat.”

The post-typhoon city assessment identified river and creek blockages, sediment accumulation in waterways from upland areas, and the inadequate interconnectedness of inland drainage systems as fundamental contributors to the flooding issues.