By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government is set to embark on a large-scale clearing and desilting operation of the Mandalagan River, a move aimed at easing recurring flooding in several low-lying communities.

Mayor Greg Gasataya announced the initiative after a recent hydrographic survey revealed that the river mouth’s depth has dropped to less than a meter due to heavy silt accumulation.

This condition has slowed water flow to the sea, causing backflow and contributing to flooding in nearby Barangays Banago, 1 and 2.

To address the issue, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office is expected to deploy an amphibious dredger to assist in the operation.

The city government, meanwhile, will provide fuel and heavy equipment for hauling.

“This project is guided by technical studies and the necessary engineering measures. We are determined to resolve the flooding problem in affected areas,” Gasataya said.

Engineer Loben Ceballos, City Engineer’s Office officer-in-charge, said the desilting operations will cover a 500-meter stretch of the river — from the river mouth up to Mandalagan Bridge 2 in Barangay 1.

He estimated the work would last over six months.

Gasataya also revealed plans to acquire a city-owned amphibious dredger, which will later be deployed to clear other major waterways, including the Banago, Magsungay, Lupit, Sum-ag, and Tangub rivers.

The operation is guided by data from the City Engineer’s Office’s hydrographic survey, conducted using “The Duck” — a drone equipped with sonar and Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System technology capable of mapping underwater features and coastlines with high accuracy./CJ, WDJ