• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In the wake of two recent flooding incidents in Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on local government units on Wednesday to update their drainage master plans, to address the perennial issue.
When Typhoon Tino struck the province on November 4, almost one million Negrenses were affected by massive flooding. It was followed by another flooding incident on Nov. 25, due to the effects of Tropical Depression Verbena, which affected about 187,063 residents, as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, excluding about 8,700 residents of Bacolod City, where water almost reached the rooftops of residences near the riverbanks.
With the city of San Carlos in Negros Occidental now updating its drainage master plan, Lacson said other LGUs should look into that angle, including updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
Flooding was reported in 22 LGUs in Negros Occidental, including highly-urbanized Bacolod City, because of TD “Verbena.”
Majority of the evacuees, except for the now homeless families in La Castellana and Moises Padilla, whose respective houses were destroyed by Typhoon Tino, have already returned to their homes, Lacson said.
Asked if the recent flooding incidents will affect the economy of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, the governor said “if it is a constant happening, it can discourage investors.”
Sea travel from Negros Occidental to Cebu, Iloilo and Guimaras and classes in the province resumed on Nov. 26.*
