Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya assured that the city government is actively working on improving traffic, maintaining market cleanliness, and preventing flooding through drainage declogging.
TRAFFIC UPDATES
The traffic lights at Lopue’s East, La Salle, and Rizal are now operational, with more repairs underway, Gasataya said at a press conference on Monday, July 7.
He noted these are temporary solutions until the city can acquire additional traffic lights.
Reuben Sabig, head of the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department, said the city will need to purchase its own towing truck to act on traffic violators.
Towing cannot be implemented for now because they have no towing truck, Sabig said.
MARKET IMPROVEMENTS
The Gasataya administration is also prioritizing market cleanliness and resolving complaints from vendors on stall rights.
Mid and long-term plans include addressing the markets’ infrastructure needs, he said.
His administration is also working on improving garbage collection, the mayor said.
FLOOD CONTROL
To combat flooding, dredging will be undertaken in Barangay Mandalagan to ensure proper water exit, he said.
Flooding in the SM City area is also being addressed, and drainage work at the Bacolod Public Plaza is being fast-tracked in anticipation of the upcoming MassKara Festival, Gasataya added.
JO WORKERS
Gasataya said his administration is so far hiring approximately 1,900 job order (JO) workers.
He has not received reports of any JO applicants testing positive for drugs, the mayor said.
The mayor said while the city typically hires 3,600 to 4,000 JOs, he is looking into availability of funds and the ideal number to be hired.*