Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez presented a detailed “whole-of-government, whole-of-society” roadmap toward flood resiliency in Bacolod City on Tuesday, June 9, the long-term implementation of which is expected to cost approximately P6 billion.
Benitez presented the roadmap during the 3rd and Culminating Bacolod Flood Mitigation Summit, which was attended by Bacolod City officials, representatives from national and local government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders at Maria Kucina Maria in Bacolod City.
Following the presentation, participants signed a commitment pledge to follow and implement the flood-resiliency roadmap.
Benitez said he has requested national government agencies to strictly implement flood control projects that align with the roadmap’s list, which was consolidated from proposals made during the two previous flood control summits.
He is lobbying for funding for Bacolod flood control projects in the 2028 national budget, Benitez said.
The short-, medium-, and long-term projects outlined in the roadmap will cost an estimated P6 billion and will take several years to fully implement, according to the lawmaker.
A significant portion of the funding will focus on the Banago and Mandalagan rivers, where major flooding areas have been identified.
Alongside the roadmap, Benitez launched a digital platform designed to serve as a central repository for flood events, data, studies, engineering solutions, proposed interventions, and ongoing mitigation efforts.
“More than a database, this platform will be a living tool for collaboration, coordination, and accountability. It will allow government agencies, experts, stakeholders, and communities to share information, monitor progress, and build upon the knowledge we have collectively gained through this process,” Benitez said.
“Flood mitigation cannot be a one-time undertaking. It requires sustained commitment, continuous learning, and collective action,” he added.
“This is not simply about drainage systems, pumping stations, canals, or flood control structures. It is about protecting lives. It is about protecting homes, livelihoods, businesses, and the future of our city,” Benitez said.
Benitez stressed that the roadmap lays the foundation for a safer, more sustainable, and flood-resilient Bacolod.
Through the series of Bacolod Flood Mitigation Summits, he said that stakeholders have identified where flooding occurs, understood the contributing factors, and explored both green (nature-based) and grey (engineered) interventions to protect residents while preserving the environment.
“Let us continue refining our plans, improving our systems, and working together long after this summit has concluded,” Benitez urged.*
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