By CESAR JOLITO III

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized that sustained cleaning, dredging and waste removal in major urban waterways in Bacolod City will significantly reduce flooding by 60 percent, marking a major push in the intensified implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha during his visit in the city yesterday.

Marcos’ visit underscores the national government’s support for Bacolod’s flood mitigation efforts following recent typhoons that triggered widespread inundation.

“Kapag nalinis natin lahat ng ilog, creek at estero — matanggal lang ang basura at ma-dredge natin — ayon sa mga scientist, mababawasan ang pagbaha ng 50 percent to 60 percent at least,” Marcos said as he inspected Mambuloc Creek in Barangay 2 yesterday.

“‘Yung Kontra Baha na programa natin for big cities, sinimulan natin sa Metro Manila and then Cebu at sumunod ang Bacolod. Kagaya ng ginawa natin sa iba — ‘yung drainage, ‘yung dredging at saka ‘yung pagkolekta ng basura para mabawasan ang pagbaha,” he said.

Oplan Kontra Baha, launched on December 5, involves dredging, declogging, clearing, and maintaining the city’s priority waterways.

The flood mitigation initiative covers 30,785.69 cubic meters of drainage systems and nine rivers and creeks, with a combined volume of 2,175,323.11 cubic meters.

The major waterways include Banago Creek, Mambuloc Creek, Maupay Creek, Tangub Creek, and Pahanocoy Creek, as well as the Sum-ag River, Mandalagan River, Lupit River, and Magsungay River, spanning a total of 169,447 meters.

Benitez: Marcos saw accomplishments

Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Marcos’ visit allows the president to personally assess the progress of clearing operations that began immediately after Oplan Kontra Baha was launched.

“[He came here] to inspect all that we have done since Day 1 — from clearing the drainage to cleaning the creeks — so he will be updated on what happened here. You’ve seen the accomplishments of this initiative,” Benitez said.

He added that he would use the opportunity to brief the President on Bacolod’s wider flood control efforts, particularly the diversion channel, which still needs a pumping station.

“Hopefully, he will be aware of that project, and it can be included in the 2026 budget,” Benitez said.

Benitez explained that Bacolod’s diversion channel is still functioning manually.

“Manual pa na subong. During low tide, they open the floodgates; during high tide, they close it. But with a pumping station, anytime may tubig sa diversion channel, pwede na dayon ma-pump out,” he said.

Results

The congressman stressed that the massive clearing operations have already made a noticeable difference.

“Ang ginahulat ko is ang epekto sang clearing. The amount of sediments and basura nga nalimpyuhan naton will take effect sa flooding. Majority sang problema naton ang mga higko sa water outlets. Hopefully, kung mag-ulan liwat, indi na magbaha,” he added.

“It was proven nga ang solusyon gid is ang declogging kag cleaning of rivers and creeks,” he added.

As part of the immediate phase of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ interventions, Oplan Kontra Baha covers extensive clearing and maintenance of rivers, creeks, esteros, and city drainage systems.

These operations address heavy siltation, waste accumulation and structural encroachments that block natural water flow.

Benitez also shared updates on the ongoing Flood Control and Mitigation Summit, which aims to complete a comprehensive masterplan for long-term flood prevention in the city.

“We are now assessing all proposals. At the end of the day, we will decide ano gid nga projects ang i-include sa masterplan. This is just the start of solving the problem and finding ways para indi na magbaha ang Bacolod,” he said.

The congressman also proposed expanding similar efforts nationwide.

“Tahom gid ‘ni nga initiative. I would suggest to the President nga himuon na lang nationwide. Just like the previous administration had an executive order for clearing, pwede man ta himuon nga national concern ang obstruction kag clearing sang waterways,” he said./CJ, WDJ