“In city hall or in local government, you have to get things done without drama” – Jim Gray
The second half of 2025 was very challenging for most Bacolodnons as we have been beset with calamities, whether human infused or natural. Despite this, Bacolodnons’ resilience continues to prove the increasing challenges by nature and lack of discipline by some members of the society.
RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
But without hesitation and repeating for the nth time Mayor Greg Gasataya who has studied the flood problem and waste management is a gargantuan problem that needs long-term yet technical solutions. He has emphasized that flooding in Bacolod is closely tied to poor waste management. He blames no one and takes full responsibility for the consequences this city has endured since he took office. To mitigate impacts, he convened barangay leaders and government agencies in a series of coordination meetings. His call was clear: stronger collaboration is needed to prevent garbage buildup in canals and creeks, which has been a major cause of recurring floods.
A leadership is tested by and large when a disaster strikes and its full test is gauged by actions and certainly not by words. To a large extent, the local government of Bacolod demonstrates a pattern of commitment of responsive governance that is swift in mobilizing all available resources in most cases, during critical circumstances. Natural disasters were constant unwelcomed visitors not only in Bacolod but of the entire country and the corresponding response initiatives and undertakings of the city are seen sealed with commitment and inclusivity. It is the Mayor himself who declared that his leadership alone cannot withstand the challenges of climate change besetting us and so he enjoined all citizens of Bacolod to take their respective and integral roles. This was responded to a significant extent, especially the barangays and local communities as well as the private sector. Under his leadership all available resources were utilized to the fullest manifesting logistical efficiency through timely and proper use while instilling resilience among citizens not by words but by real responses.
RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE
In each and every disaster’s onset, response and teams were deployed in almost all affected barangays while their own trained personnel were mobilized, especially during pre-emptive evacuations and massive clean up drives of rivers and creeks. Several coastal barangays pro-actively mobilized their facilities, personnel and volunteers were deployed within hours of the disaster onsets. Whether coming from national government or private sector or the local government’s own funds including that of the barangays calamity funds there were about 10,000 food packs distributed, thousands of roofing and housing materials for shelter restoration were distributed. Hygiene and kitchen kits were disposed of to the affected Bacolodnons and hot meals were constantly ready to ensure no family went hungry. Water and power companies even with lack of personnel and casual delays were enthused to take their important roles.
SOCIAL AND STRUCTURAL PROTECTION
The leadership of Bacolod city recognizes persisting and long term risks and challenges swiftly facilitated evacuation to safer grounds as immediate response through the local disaster risk and reduction office with the PNP, Philippine Army and the local volunteer groups. Hundreds, if not thousands of citizens, mostly vulnerable informal settlers coming from most coastal barangays were evacuated. On top of this, many were relocated to their new communities as the city provided them permanent settlements which is a clear investment both for safety and stability.
Bacolod’s disaster response went beyond physical needs because many were provided long-term solutions by establishing new local communities where safety of abode and community empowerment were evident. Financial assistance was a regular yet essential provision – these are payout for single parents, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups in the city. More than a humanitarian endeavor these are fundamental responsibilities of the local government.
RESILIENCE ‘BLUEPRINT’
Bacolod’s efforts on these challenges come heavier not as mere checklists but a testament to pro-active planning and actions centered on the safety and protection of Bacolodnons especially the vulnerables. The power of local leadership with its immediate assistance, mid-term plan redesigning with recognizably integrating inclusivity to encourage stakeholdership is evident. And, whether flood or fire – have been weathered to say the least. This now lays the groundwork for the forthcoming and well-anticipated more disasters to come which are considered “non-phenomenal” but somehow a normalized pattern that have come in more frequency and intensity. Deeper and larger scale tests of leadership are just about to come.*
