Bacolodnons are calling for accountability from local government officials following the massive floods that affected more than 50 percent of the 61 barangays due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Depression “Verbena” on Tuesday, November 25.
Data of the city’s Department of Social Services and Development released late yesterday afternoon showed 5,318 families, or 15,896 persons, sought shelter in more than 60 evacuation centers across the city.
As of noon, 2,791 families, consisting of 8,269 individuals, have returned home.
Nine evacuations in Barangay Singcang-Airport are providing shelter to 2,412 families, or 5,313 persons.
In the village’s Purok Mars, floodwaters reached ceilings, prompting residents to climb to the rooftops and call for rescue.
Residents of Purok Carvic in Barangay Mandalagan experienced flooding that reached chest levels.
Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard rescued residents in some areas of Barangays Pahanocoy, Sum-ag and Banago as non-stop rains flooded the areas early Tuesday.
“Our relief operations continue today to ensure the basic needs of our fellow Bacolodnons affected by the typhoon,” Mayor Greg Gasataya said in a statement yesterday.
In a Facebook post after the floods, the Council of Concerned Citizens (C3), represented by lawyer Cesar Belario Jr., said they would file an initial complaint this week before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, and the Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary.
“The flooding we suffered is a painful reminder of why this must be done. These are not just [because of rains] — they are the consequences of years of irregularities in our flood-control projects,” the C3 said. “Let this flood open our eyes. Let it strengthen our resolve. Bacolod deserves better — and together, we will fight for it.”
Social media posts have also called out city officials over what happened to the several billions of flood control project funds supposedly allocated for Bacolod between 2017 and 2025.
Association of Negros Producers chairperson Arlene Infante posted on Facebook a list of the P4.28 billion worth of flood projects over nine years.
“So? Where na this? We just can’t blame a few sacks of basura clogging the creeks,” Infante said in her post.
A Facebook page named “Revolutionary Bacolod” posted: “We need answers. We need accountability. We need our money back.” (PNA)