Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya have ordered concerned agencies to act without delay, following the flooding that occurred Friday night, which affected more than 5,000 Bacolod residents, during an emergency meeting they recently convened, said a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Council, together with key response units which include the DRRMO, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bacolod City District Engineering Office, Bacolod City Engineering Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bacolod City Police Office, where discussions focused on both immediate remedies and long-term flood mitigation strategies.
Benitez instructed the DPWH to immediately submit cost estimates for a proposed flood mitigation project to fast-track its implementation. Priority measures include installing floodgates and pumping stations in vulnerable areas like Banago and Mandalagan to enhance water discharge capacity and prevent water surge.
“We cannot afford to waste any more time. We must act now,” emphasized Benitez. Gasataya echoed the call, stressing that decisive and coordinated action is needed to prevent a repeat of the recent disaster.
“We can’t wait any longer. All departments and the City Council needed should work together. Let’s have quick and real solutions. Let’s get it done,” Gasataya said.
The meeting also addressed critical drainage improvements, including identifying optimal water channels, clearing obstructed floodways, and emergency dredging operations for the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River.
When flood waters started rising in flood-prone areas Friday night, Greg stayed overnight at the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) command center observing and coordinating rescue efforts before joining relief distributions at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School 2.
On Sunday afternoon, the mayor dispatched a team from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to drain floodwaters from Purok Katilingban in Brgy. Banago, where 132 families reside.*
