By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to last Friday’s flooding, which forced hundreds of Bacolod City residents to flee their homes, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head Joemarie Vargas said the city plans on working with neighboring towns and cities on a flood early warning system.

Vargas explained, by tapping the assistance of Murcia, Talisay City, and Bago City, he could coordinate with his counterparts in the said local government units in putting together a comprehensive warning system.

He speculated such a system would allow for a one to two hour window in order to warn residents and have them evacuated.

The CDRRMO official also claimed the source of the flooding stems from the mountains, where the rain was heavier.

Vargas is considering a possible location for a warning system along a river in Barangay Cansilayan, Murcia, noting the rivers that caused a lot of the flooding, the Lupit and Magsungay, both originate in Murcia.

The city is considering at least six flood early warning systems, according to Vargas./DGB, WDJ