By CESAR JOLITO III
While government records show that more than P10.7 billion worth of flood control projects have been implemented across Negros Occidental since 2022, the provincial government is shifting focus towards alternative disaster preparedness measures to better respond to recurring floods.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said the Capitol has invested its disaster funds in strengthening the capacity of responders and rescuers, rather than funding flood control structures.
Among the key initiatives are the province-wide 911 emergency system, fully equipped vehicles, and a barangay early warning alarm network in flood-prone areas, including communities near Kanlaon Volcano.
“These sirens will give residents a five- to 10-minute head start to move to safer ground once danger is detected. That’s where we put our resources,” Diaz said.
He added that the goal is for every local government unit in Negros Occidental to soon have a 911 ambulance with trained responders capable of handling emergencies from flooding to vehicular accidents and incidents of violence.
“We have prepositioned personnel and assets so we can achieve a faster response time,” Diaz stressed.
Despite the Capitol’s stance, data from isumbongsapangulo.ph revealed that 23 towns and cities in Negros Occidental have already benefited from Department of Public Works and Highways-funded flood control projects since 2022.
Bacolod City topped the list with 47 projects, followed by Binalbagan with 29, while the cities of Silay and Victorias have 16 each.
The cities of Cadiz, Talisay and San Carlos had 12 projects each; Kabankalan City had 10 projects; Sagay City and La Castellana had six each; while Bago City, as well as the towns of Manapla and Ilog, had four projects each.
Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Valladolid, and Sipalay City had three projects each, while La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, and Calatrava had two projects each.
Himamaylan City had one project.
The projects form part of the national government’s ongoing effort to strengthen infrastructure against flooding, which remains one of the biggest threats to agriculture, livelihoods and communities in the province.
The data comes at a time when flood control projects in Negros Occidental have drawn public scrutiny, with calls for greater transparency and accountability over the selection of contractors, project costs, and quality of implementation.
Diaz clarified that the provincial government itself has not directly received or funded any flood control project and denied any involvement in so-called “ghost projects.”
The recurring floods, driven largely by the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical storms, continue to exact a heavy toll.
As of July 28, agricultural losses in Negros Occidental have already reached P55 million, affecting rice, corn, high-value crops, poultry, and livestock.
At least 47,444 families, or 178,781 individuals, across 18 towns and cities were affected, while 41 houses were destroyed and 308 others partially damaged.
Diaz assured the public that their focus on preparedness aims to save more lives and reduce losses, complementing existing infrastructure projects funded through national government initiatives./CJ, WDJ