Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he will organize a flood control summit to tackle solutions that would address the recurring floods in this highly urbanized city.

“To address the flooding in our city, we are spearheading the convening of a flood control summit to discuss and to resolve to adopt real, doable solutions,” Benitez said in a statement over the weekend, but did not announce the date yet.

The former mayor of Bacolod said he will bring together residents and those from surrounding areas, as well as national and local government officials, contractors and experts.

Last month, monsoon rains caused floods in the northern part of the city, affecting more than 5,000. Adjacent Talisay City also experienced flooding that affected 15,605 persons in 16 villages.

“Given the continued risks posed by flooding to our home, it is only right to demand accountability and ensure that those behind failed or inadequate projects are punished,” Benitez said.

In the “Isumbong sa Pangulo” website, a number of multi-million flood control projects in Bacolod have been listed with completion dates from 2022 to 2025.

“To solve this recurring problem, we must recognize that accountability alone will not keep our communities safe. This summit is not about pointing fingers. It is about rolling up our sleeves and putting our heads together to find concrete ways to protect lives, homes and livelihoods,” Benitez said.

Since last month, Mayor Greg Gasataya has been initiating the clearing and dredging of the major waterways as part of the city’s flood mitigation efforts targeting vulnerable areas. (PNA)