By Mae Singuay

Bacolod City’s Barangay 39 was under a state of calamity following recent flooding which affected residents amid inclement weather brought by the southwest monsoon on Tuesday, July 25.

Village chief Jude Salusada said 341 households, composed of 1,117 individuals, were affected by the recent flooding.

This prompted the village council to declare state of calamity for them to utilize financial assistance for affected residents.

Salusada said that they will be giving out food assistance, including rice and relief goods.

There were five families remaining in the evacuation center as their houses were swept away by the floodwaters.

In Bacolod, 1,312 families, composed of 4,520 individuals, were affected by the floods, data from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) showed.

CDRRMO head, Maria Laarni Pornan said the flooding was caused by accumulated heavy rains for more than three hours, which was equivalent to three days of rain.

On Thursday, July 27, Pornan said that Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez held a meeting with the Task Force Baha to discuss concerns relevant to the recent flooding in the city.

She added the meeting’s primary focus was to devise effective solutions to combat flooding in various vulnerable areas within the city, which were heavily affected by Super Typhoon “Egay.”

Pornan further said Benitez proposed several immediate action points, including the implementation of engineering solutions on existing flood-prone areas to mitigate the impact of future floods; and the installation of early warning devices coordinated with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The team also addressed the importance of clearing obstructions along waterways, allowing for smoother water flow and reducing the risk of flooding in the city.

The Task Force Baha also aims to proactively address the recurring issue of flooding, protect affected communities, and enhance the city’s disaster resilience, Pornan said./MS, WDJ