President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Oplan Kontra Baha dredging and clearing of waterways in Bacolod City is expected to reduce flooding by 50 to 60 percent.
Marcos and Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the Oplan Kontra Baha clearing operations at the Mambuloc Creek in Bacolod on Friday, Dec. 12,
They were accompanied by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Benitez and Mayor Greg Gastaya.
The president said the Oplan Kontra Baha campaign was started in Metro Manila, followed by Cebu and Bacolod.
He said based on scientific estimates, restoring the full water carrying capacity of waterways and drainage systems through dredging and removal of garbage could reduce flooding by around 50 to 60 percent.
“That is why this program is very important. That’s why we bring it to different cities around the country where we really see flooding,” he added.
Oplan Kontra Baha involves dredging and cleaning of rivers, creeks and esteros, clearing obstructions and managing waste disposal.
In Bacolod City, the Oplan Kontra Baha program targets to clean up nine priority waterways and drainage systems or almost 170 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros, and 138 kilometers of drainage systems.
Oplan Kontra Baha brings together national agencies, local governments, and private partners to address flooding issues caused by heavy siltation, waste blockage, and encroachment of obstructive structures along waterways and drainage systems.
The waterways clearing and cleaning operations will run until June 2026.
Benitez said the president has committed to fully support the Oplan Kontra Baha in Bacolod with an estimate budget of P480 million.
The amount will be used for the rental of equipment among others, Benitez said.
The president came to inspect what has been done, he added.
Benitez said he appraised the president of the flood control initiatives that Bacolod has started , particularly the diversion channel at the Bacolod reclamation area that still needs a pumping station.
Hopefully the budget for the pumping station will be included in the 2027 national budget, he said.
The Flood Mitigation Summits being held in Bacolod will also outline the long term solutions to be implemented, he added.
“I think I would even suggest to the president that this been done nationwide,” Benitez said.*