“Oplan Kontra Baha,” a collaborative drive of the Bacolod City government, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the private sector, was officially launched at Mambulok Creek on Friday morning, December 5.
The initiative aims to clear critical waterways and mitigate the impact of flooding on communities throughout Bacolod City.
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said “with the support of our engineers, barangay leaders, and the thousands of river warriors deployed across the city, we are taking concrete steps to restore the flow of our rivers and reinforce the importance of proper waste disposal”.
“By resetting our creeks and drainage systems, we begin the essential groundwork for long-term solutions,” he added.
DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima reported substantial progress, stating that approximately 21 percent of their target clearing operations have been accomplished in less than two weeks.
Calima noted that a significant amount of the equipment used to accelerate the clearing operations was provided by their private sector partners.
The undersecretary also underscored the critical need for proper waste disposal and the enforcement of laws against the illegal dumping of waste.
Their target is to clear nine major waterways – the Banago Creek, Mandalagam River, Mambuloc Creek, Maupay Creek, Lupit Creek, Magsungay River, Tangub Creek, Pahanocoy Creek, and Sum-ag River, of 2,175,323.11 cubic meters of waste to prevent flooding.
The project duration is expected to last until the end of June.
They are also aiming to clear drainages of an estimated 30,785.69 cubic meters of waste.
Benitez said a considerable amount of the debris being cleared consists of branches and leaves that were washed down during the recent Typhoon Tino.
The initial 10-day work of about 3,000 “river warriors,” who were hired under the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) program, is nearing completion.
Benitez said a second round of hiring for the program is targeted for January.
The need to conduct these clearing operations on a regular basis may be a necessity, he said.
Benitez said the current clearing operations as short-term solutions to Bacolod’s flooding problem.
The long-term solutions will be discussed at a third and final flood summit scheduled for December 10, with the objective of securing necessary funds for them in the 2027 national budget, Benitez said.
President Ferdinand Marcos had to cancel his scheduled visit to Bacolod on Friday for the launch due to the current weather conditions, he said.
The President will instead visit at a later date to inspect the work that has been accomplished, Benitez said, assuring that the President has been kept updated on the situation in Bacolod.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya reiterated that the cleanup drive is a crucial joint effort involving the local and national governments, and the private sector.
He reiterated his appeal to city residents to observe proper waste disposal practices and to refrain from dumping their garbage into waterways.
Gasataya also called upon barangay officials to diligently enforce the law against those found illegally disposing of their waste.*