Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya has directed the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to augment the ongoing desilting operations of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the Mandalagan River, reinforcing flood mitigation efforts in the city.
An amphibious excavator has been deployed at the river mouth in Barangay 1, while a newly acquired long-arm crawler excavator will begin separate desilting operations along Lacson Street, near the Rolling Hills area, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said Tuesday, Feb. 24
The initiative aims to rehabilitate the river and prevent backflow that worsens flooding during heavy rains in nearby barangays.
Gasataya said that the river clearing must be continuous, noting that the last major desilting operation prior to the recent efforts was conducted in 2014.
“The clearing of our riverways should be continuous. After so many years, the river has already become heavily silted,” the mayor said, underscoring the need to acquire additional heavy equipment instead of renting to maximize funds allocated for long-term flood mitigation.
The city allocated P45.4 million for the purchase of a crawler excavator, a six-wheeler dump truck, and another amphibious excavator, the BCCO said.
From October to December 2025, DPWH hauled approximately 2,120 tons of silt from the Mandalagan River.
A hydrographic survey conducted by the CEO last year showed that sedimentation has reduced the river mouth’s depth to about one meter.
The mayor also ordered simultaneous operations while closely coordinating with DPWH’s clearing activities in Mambuloc Creek.
The Bacolod Housing Authority is conducting surveys to identify informal settler families that may be affected by the massive desilting operations.
Gasataya is also pushing for the installation of trash traps in seven waterways across the city.
The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) has identified seven priority locations as Maupay Creek in Purok Boulevard (Barangay 13); Banago Creek near Ceres North Terminal (Brgy Bata); Banago Creek at Brgy Banago Bridge #2; Mambulok Creek (Barangay 10 Bredco); and three sites along Lupit River at Taculing-Hernaez bridge, Singcang-Lupit bridge, and Singcang-Alunan bridge.
“We are pushing for the enforcement of the barangay to help discipline our people. We are also reviewing appropriate cases to be filed to those who would continue to dump their garbage in the waterways,” Gasataya said.
Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Planning and Development Office continue repainting and installing flood warning level markers and conducting desilting operations in various waterways.*
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