By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Sonya Verdeflor forwarded a resolution earlier this week before the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) urging Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya and Mayor Evelio Leonardia to prioritize the construction of evacuation centers in the city.
In an email from the city councilor, she made reference to the recent flooding that affected thousands of city residents, calling it a “wake up call” to the city government.
Verdeflor noted, next year’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Annual Investment Plan for Bacolod City includes the construction of evacuation centers at Villa Esperanza in Barangay Tangub and Purok Kaisahan in Barangay Sum-ag.
Meanwhile, Gasataya said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has already allotted P36 million for the construction of an evacuation center, but said the agency still needs to coordinate with the city government to review requirements before construction can commence.
Last week, several areas of the city were flooded following heavy downpours caused by a low pressure area and the southwest monsoon. According to Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Social Welfare Officer IV Sally Abelarde, a total 8,165 city residents had to be evacuated./WDJ