• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City government has initiated a clearing and desilting operation at the Mandalagan River, aiming to remove 20,000 cubic meters of silt to mitigate persistent flooding in the city.
The rehabilitation project was launched after a hydrographic survey conducted last August 2025 confirmed that the Mandalagan River has become critically shallow with a slow current.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who announced the target volume to be removed from the river, stated the reduced capacity is a primary cause of flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall.
He noted that the Mandalagan River is the main catchment area for eight tributary creeks flowing from various barangays, including Mandalagan, Estefania, Bata, Villamonte, Montevista, and Barangay 1.
The river’s current condition limits its ability to accommodate the volume of water from these tributaries.
The city is utilizing an amphibious dredger borrowed from the Department of Public Works and Highways 6.
Gasataya estimated the project will take several weeks, with the silt extraction rate projected at 50 to 54 cubic meters per hour.
In a related effort, clearing and desilting operations are also ongoing at the Banago River.*
