By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government has taken a major step toward strengthening its disaster resilience with the launch of a localized flood early warning system in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Mayor Greg Gasataya and DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr. formalized the collaboration through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed during the opening of the Handa Pilipinas: Innovations in Climate and Disaster Resilience Nationwide Exposition 2025 – Visayas leg, held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City.

Under the partnership, Bacolod will implement a Community-Based Flood Early Warning System designed to deliver real-time, location-specific alerts to flood-prone communities.

The system will use monitoring stations that track rainfall and river levels, enabling the city to issue early warnings and evacuation advisories faster and more accurately.

“In urban areas like Bacolod, time is very, very important,” Gasataya said.

“This initiative will empower us to make solid, data-based and science-driven decisions using localized information instead of depending on external sources,” he added.

DOST and the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration will install seven river monitoring systems and nine rain monitoring systems in strategic locations across the city.

Solidum, in his keynote message, underscored the significance of proactive disaster management.

“Disaster risk reduction begins with accurate, timely and localized data. When communities understand their specific risks, they can prepare and act before disasters strike,” he said.

City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also witnessed the MOA signing, along with other Visayas officials attending the Handa Pilipinas Expo, which showcases Filipino innovations in climate and disaster resilience./CJ, WDJ