By CESAR JOLITO III
Tropical Depression “Verbena” devastated Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on Tuesday, November 25, affecting a total of 202,938 residents and displacing thousands from their homes.
In Bacolod City alone, 4,775 families (15,875 residents) across 31 barangays were evacuated, with 23 families left homeless.
Across Negros Occidental, 50,431 families in 291 barangays have been affected.
Floodwaters as high as six feet inundated homes in areas such as Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang-Airport, where residents were stranded on rooftops and rescued by the Bureau of Fire Protection – Bacolod, barangay responders and volunteer groups.
Preemptive evacuations accounted for roughly 20 percent of those affected, while others fled only as waters rose.
Eleven roads were temporarily closed due to flooding, and power interruptions were reported in several barangays.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said Bacolod’s usual 10-millimeter daily rainfall average soared to 70.50 mm between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, excluding heavy runoff from neighboring Talisay City, Silay City, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Overflowing rivers, including Magsungay, Lupit, Mambuloc, Banago, and Mandalagan, worsened flooding in low-lying areas.
During a relief visit to Purok Mars, a woman tearfully told Gasataya she had lost nearly all her belongings.
“Words felt meaningless in the face of such loss,” Gasataya said.
“What mattered was being there — standing with her and letting her know she won’t face this problem alone. We will come to you; we will listen; we will stand with you,” the mayor added.
Gasataya also emphasized the need for community cooperation in waste management and river maintenance to prevent future flooding.
Despite the devastation, no casualties have been reported in Bacolod.
As of press time, the City Social Services and Development Office has distributed 2,191 family food packs to the hardest-hit Bacolod barangays: Barangay Singcang-Airport — 1,200, Barangay 39 — 734, Barangay Mansilingan — 50, and Barangay Taculing — 207./CJ, WDJ