Distrito: P112.5M from this year, P33.957M left over from 2017

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved P143 million in disaster risk reduction and management funding during their regular session last week.

According to City Councilor Caesar Distrito, the total fund is comprised of P112.5 million from the 2018 annual budget, with P33.957 million in “unexpended balances” from last year.

He noted, P23.5 million will be spent on equipment including rescue vehicles and a backhoe. An additional P3.8 million is intended for various flood control programs across the city.

Despite the ongoing flood control construction along Lacson Street, recent rains left the main thoroughfare flooded.

In response, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief construction section in Bacolod City assured city residents flooding along the street will reduce once the drainage system installation is complete, which is expected by this year.

DPWH-Bacolod Engineer Ferdinand Magada, however, admitted installation of the flood control system has been affected by the current rainy weather./WDJ