By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Cluster recently held a public consultation at the Bacolod City Government Center annex regarding a P24 million master plan and feasibility study on urban drainage and flood control. The plan is under consideration for both Bacolod City and Balanga City, Bataan.
Bacolod City District Engineering Office head, Engr. Abraham Villareal, said the presentation is still in a conceptual phase and details are forthcoming.
Among the identified projects planned include the installation of diversion canals as a means of reducing flooding. However, the city official noted, DPWH can only finance for projects along national roads and challenges may arise when such infrastructure is connected to local roads.
Last July, with regard to the flood control system installed along Lacson Street, Bacolod City lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya affirmed flooding along the city’s main roads would “soon be a thing of the past”/DGB, WDJ