Heavy downpour from Tropical Depression Verbena hit 31 barangays in Bacolod City, displacing 2,543 families or about 8,375 individuals, and left 23 families homeless as of November 25, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Raging floodwaters up to six feet high entered houses in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang-Airport past 8 a.m., trapping residents on their roofs who called for help as the storm wreaked havoc across the city. Members of the Bacolod Bureau of Fire Protection and rescue volunteers from multiple organizations responded, evacuating hundreds in the area.
Preliminary data from the City Social Services and Development Office (DSSD) confirmed the displacement figures, with about 20 of affected families undergoing preemptive evacuation. While some initially hesitated to leave, most evacuated as water levels rose.
Power interruptions were reported in several barangays, and 11 roads were temporarily closed due to flooding. Overflowing rivers including Magsungay, Lupit, Mambuloc, Banago, and Mandalagan, combined with heavy runoff from neighboring Murcia, Talisay, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Silay, worsened flooding in low-lying areas.
Mayor Greg Gasataya noted that Bacolod’s average daily rainfall is 10 mm, but between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Tuesday, the city recorded 70.50 mm – not including runoff from surrounding areas.
He also emphasized the need for community cooperation in addressing long-term solutions. “We need everyone’s cooperation and understanding. The city can prepare anytime, but lasting solutions especially in waste management depend on all of us. Our rivers overflowed and some areas flooded fast. We’re doing everything we can on the ground, but we need the communities, especially the barangays, to help us keep waterways clear,” Gasataya said.
Despite the onslaught, the city reported zero casualties.
As of press time, the DSSD has distributed 2,191 family food packs to hardest-hit areas: Barangay Singcang-Airport – 1,200; Barangay 39 – 734; Barangay Mansilingan – 50 (JJ Gonzaga: 15; Barangay Gym: 35); Barangay Taculing – 207 (BCNHS: 171, Community Center: 16, Puentevella: 20).*
