Bureau of Fire Protection Bacolod firefighters rescued six nuns from their Blessed Virgin Missionaries of Carmel home in Barangay 1, Bacolod City, early Saturday morning.*BFP Bacolod photo
The Bacolod City and Talisay City governments are set to conduct intensified dredging operations following the massive flooding that caused 17,221 residents to evacuate on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares issued the assurance after heavy rains, exacerbated by the Southwest Monsoon, caused widespread flooding, that led to the evacuation of 1,616 Bacolod residents and 15,605 in neighboring Talisay.
All evacuees have since returned home.
Intensified dredging operations in northern waterways of Bacolod City will start Monday, July 14, Gasataya said.
Gasataya attributed the severe flooding to a combination of urban development pressures and infrastructure challenges.
“Multiple factors contribute to our flooding. Urbanization is one. Previously, rainwater would absorb into the soil. Now, concrete surfaces force water to seek the steepest paths to low-lying areas,” Gasataya said
The Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) also reported that the “The severe flooding in Sta. Clara, Mandalagan, and even Banago wasn’t just because of heavy rains — it was also caused by rising tides that drowned our outfalls, preventing water from draining out to sea. With nowhere else to go, the water surged back into our streets.”
“This isn’t just a one-time problem. Climate change, rapid development, and aging infrastructure are now combining to test our city’s resilience”, it said.
The Bacolod City government is not turning a blind eye, immediate steps are underway, and long-term drainage upgrades are in the pipeline, it added.
TALISAY RESPONSE
Lizares said the Talisay City government will again clean drainages to ensure the system isn’t clogged with garbage, waste, and debris.
“Because of the increased amount of rain, water coming from the mountains has added to the depth of our river. High tides also prevent our drainages from emptying properly,” she explained.
“We have plans of dredging our Matab-ang River in the future, hoping to prevent it from overflowing”, she added.
She also plans to meet with the Department of Public Works and Highways to investigate what caused the recent highway flooding.
A joint conference will be held to develop a united solution for any future flooding in the city, Lizares said.
BACOLOD EVACUEES
Gasataya said that emergency aid has been provided to 441 families (1,612 individuals) in Bacolod who evacuated during the floods.
Essential supplies, including food packs, rice, blankets, mosquito nets, diapers, and hygiene kits, were distributed across eight coastal evacuation centers.
Gasataya thanked the various volunteer groups for their assistance, acknowledging the overwhelming volume of rescue requests during the emergency.
FLOOD LEVELS
Flood levels reached four feet in areas such as Purok Tamburong, Mabinuligay, Pine Tree (Brgy. Bata), and parts of Banago and Mandalagan, the BCCO said.
Other affected barangays included 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 18, and Villamonte.
In some areas of Bacolod, floodwaters were knee-high, inundating homes in both squatter areas and subdivisions.
Roads near SM City Bacolod resembled mini-rivers due to the rising water.*Andrew Altarejos photo
Rescuers utilized small boats to evacuate residents from heavily affected areas.
Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection Bacolod also rescued six nuns, the oldest being 89, from their Blessed Virgin Missionaries of Carmel home in Barangay 1 early Saturday morning, safely transporting them to the Señor Sto. Niño Home in Barangay Taculing.
TALISAY EVACUEES
Neighboring Talisay City also experienced severe flooding, leading to the evacuation of 3,121 families, or approximately 15,605 individuals, from 16 barangays.
City Social Welfare Officer Dionela Madrona reported that evacuees sought temporary shelter at the Talisay Public Plaza, covered courts, and day care centers before returning to their homes on Saturday morning.
The Talisay City government provided evacuees with food packs, energy drinks, and meals. The Angels Wings Foundation, led by Mayor Rowena Lizares, also donated rice to those affected.
Madrona noted that the heavy rain began at 9:05 p.m. Friday and continued past midnight, coinciding with a high tide at 1 a.m. Saturday.
ANIMALS DIE
The floods resulted in the deaths of 239 chickens and fighting cocks worth P330, 900, and 38 pigs worth P484,000 in Talisay, she said.
Eight houses were destroyed and 33 were damaged in Talisay City, Madrona said.*