A multi-sectoral Pre-Flood Summit spearheaded by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday, October 20, pinpointed critical issues causing severe flooding in Bacolod City, including heavy river siltation, widespread illegal encroachments, and the lack of a unified flood control master plan.
The preparatory meeting attended by representatives from multisectoral groups and national government agencies as well as Bacolod City officials at L’Fisher Hotel, established the urgent data-driven groundwork needed to formulate comprehensive, long-term solutions at a forthcoming Flood Summit, a press statement from Councilor Caesar Distrito, spokesman of Benitez, said on Tuesday.
Benitez, in his speech, highlighted the need for a multi-sectoral, data-driven approach to flooding, emphasizing that the issue is not merely environmental but deeply connected to governance, planning, and community participation.
“Flooding is a global crisis, and we must own the solution,” Benitez said, urging all sectors to act with urgency and unity.
During the discussions, agencies and stakeholders identified key problem areas contributing to Bacolod City’s flooding, Distrito said.
Distrito said these issues, which will be the focus of detailed deliberation and solution formulation during the upcoming Flood Summit, are:
*Siltation and sediment buildup in the city’s major rivers causing reduced water flow;
*Overgrown vegetation along riverbanks and within existing flood control structures such as dikes;
*Encroachments and illegal structures within the 3-meter easement zones along rivers and creeks, in violation of PD No. 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines);
*Informal settlements located beneath bridges and along waterways, who obstruct drainage systems;
*Weak enforcement of environmental and zoning laws, including RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and related local ordinances;
*Unregulated small-scale quarry operations contributing to soil erosion and river obstruction;
*Lack of updated river profiling and hydrological data, necessary for infrastructure design and flood mapping;
*Absence of a unified Flood Control Master Plan integrating DPWH and local projects; and
*Need for continuous information, education, and cleanup campaigns led by barangays and community groups under RA 7160 (Local Government Code).
Benitez lauded the ongoing efforts of Mayor Greg Gasataya, the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office and barangay officials, who have initiated river and drainage clearing operations since July 1 in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“Knowing the problem is one thing, doing something about it is another. This Pre-Flood Summit gives us a clear picture of what we face,” he said.
The next step is to act decisively and together, guided by data, discipline, and the spirit of Bayanihan,” Benitez said.
The Pre-Flood Summit concluded with a strong consensus among all agencies and stakeholders to finalize technical studies, policy recommendations, and coordinated response measures for presentation and adoption in the Flood Summit proper, Distrito said.*