Clearing of drainages in Barangay Banago on Monday.*BCCO photo
Mayor Greg Gasataya on Monday, July 21, reiterated his appeal to Bacolod residents to stop the indiscriminate throwing of garbage, which continues to clog waterways and exacerbate flooding across the city.
A massive clearing operation targeting waterways and drainages in Barangay Banago is underway this week, Gasataya said at a press conference.
The clearing drive aims to ensure the proper exit of water in Banago itself, as well as from neighboring Barangays Mandalagan and Bata, to prevent severe flooding, he said
“There is a lot of work to be done in the northern part of Bacolod,” Gasataya said, emphasizing that “action and our unity is the solution.”
He urged the community to “continue to work together to maintain the cleanliness of our environment.”
The Banago cleanup drive comes after Mambuloc Creek where over 40 tons of trash and two truckloads of silt were removed.
DAMAGED HOUSES
Fifteen houses in Bacolod were damaged late last week due to flooding, toppled trees, and strong winds. Twelve of these affected homes were located in Barangay Granada.
In response, the city government will provide P10,000 in assistance to each family whose house was damaged.
The city government plans to relocate residents currently living in hazardous waterways to ensure their safety.
SOLUTIONS
Gasataya said immediate clearing of waterways and drainages is the short term solution to the flooding problem.
For midterm solutions, the mayor highlighted the need for larger-scale flood mitigation projects at the mouths of rivers. These undertakings will be led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with assistance from Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, he said.
Gasataya expressed hope that the national government would continue to provide crucial assistance for these vital projects.*