Mayor Greg Gasataya, along with City Engineer’s Office personnel, conducted on-site inspections of flood-affected areas to pinpoint the underlying causes of the floods that hit Bacolod City on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and ensure swift implementation of solutions.
The city government is actively addressing ongoing flood concerns, a press release from the Bacolod City government said.
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In Bugnay Street, near the University of St. La Salle (USLS), the team discovered that drainage systems were obstructed by garbage-filled sacks and excessive vegetation, impeding water flow.
A similar situation was observed at Kamunsil Street, near Gate 8 of USLS, where the combination of heavy rainfall and the limited capacity of older canals led to water overflowing into adjacent areas, including Balay Kalinungan.
At St. Scholastica’s Academy, a section of the school’s perimeter wall had collapsed, blocking the creek and exacerbating flooding.
Gasataya has directed immediate removal of these obstructions and the implementation of structural enhancements to prevent future occurrences.
In the Carvic area of Barangay Mandalagan, the City Engineer’s Office identified gaps in the “pika-pika” structure as the source of water leakage.
“We already went to the Carvic area to get additional footage. We have identified the cause — there are gaps in the ‘pika-pika’ structure in Mandalagan where the water seeps through. We’ve referred the matter to the DPWH, and they have committed to work on it so that once the area is repaired, water will no longer overflow into residential areas and Lacson Street,” Gasataya said.
Gasataya stressed that both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Almana Construction assured him the diversion channel in the area would be completed by December.
“For the diversion channel, we already coordinated with Almana Construction and DPWH. Their commitment during the August 26 meeting still stands—that they will finish the inlet by the second week of November and the outfall by the second week of December. I have also instructed the City to prepare the tapping points for the local drainage system in the area, and we will be updating SM regarding this project as well.”
He also requested the clearing of silt in the Mambuloc area to prevent possible clogging during future rains. He added that the city government is also developing a community-based flood early warning system to improve disaster preparedness and resilience, particularly in flood-prone and coastal regions.
“We hear you, and we are listening. The local government of Bacolod is acting with urgency and precision. Guided by technical and factual assessments, we are taking steps to respond responsibly and effectively,” Gasataya said.*