By CESAR JOLITO III

In the aftermath of Typhoon “Tino’s” devastation, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has mobilized a unified recovery effort, bringing together local leaders, government agencies and service providers to accelerate the city’s rehabilitation.

Following the declaration of a state of calamity on Thursday, November 6, Gasataya convened an urgent coordination meeting with members of the city council, barangay officials and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the City Engineer’s Office.

The meeting focused on aligning disaster response and recovery plans, addressing immediate community needs, and ensuring a faster restoration of essential services disrupted by the typhoon.

Utility firms were also in attendance, as barangay leaders raised issues on the slow restoration of power and water supply. Both companies committed to prioritizing areas heavily affected by flooding and infrastructure damage.

Gasataya emphasized that a coordinated approach is crucial to Bacolod’s recovery, urging all sectors to work together to rebuild affected communities.

The mayor also expressed confidence in Bacolodnons’ resilience, saying the city has weathered disasters before and will continue to do so through shared strength and cooperation.

As clearing operations continue across the city, the Bacolod DRRMO has urged residents to remain vigilant and coordinate with barangay officials for immediate assistance and reporting of hazards.

“Tino” brought torrential rains and strong winds earlier this week, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and power interruptions in several barangays across Bacolod City./CJ, WDJ