Officials of flood-prone barangays in Bacolod City are optimistic of finally seeing an end to years of destructive floods with the interventions being implemented by the government under Oplan Kontra Baha.
On Friday, December 12, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, led the launch of the waterways clearing and cleaning operations at Mambuloc Creek, located along the communities of Barangays 2 and 6.
Citing scientific estimates, the president said restoring the full water-carrying capacity of the city’s waterways and drainage systems could reduce flooding by about 60 percent.
Barangay 2 village chief Emelda Banguanga and Barangay 6 councilman Felix Guzman, Jr. both welcomed the Oplan Kontra Baha project, which is part of the immediate phase of the Department of Public Works and Highways identified interventions to clean rivers and creeks in the city caused by heavy siltation, wastes, and the encroachment of obstructive structures.
Banguanga said the clearing of Mambuloc Creek of waste and silt and the ongoing construction of a drainage project in Barangays 1 and 2 are expected to address flooding in the area.
“It’s a big privilege for Bacolod that President Marcos visited us to give attention to our Oplan Kontra Baha operation. Clearing the Mambuloc Creek will help minimize flooding during heavy rains,” she said.
In Barangay 2, two puroks (sub-villages), Balinday and Sigay, usually experience waist-high floods during heavy downpours, Banguanga said, acknowledging that waste-clogging has largely contributed to the flooding.
She said at least 200 sacks of waste were gathered in Purok Sigay alone during the clearing operation conducted by beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers last week.
“It’s also the lack of discipline among residents that causes the floods. I appeal to them to properly dispose [of] their garbage to prevent flooding,” Banguanga said.
Meanwhile, Guzman said that in Barangay 6, at least three puroks are usually flooded during prolonged rains.
He echoed the sentiments of Banguanga on the people’s lack of discipline in proper waste disposal, resulting in the clogging of waterways.
“Oplan Kontra Baha will definitely minimize flooding since almost all canals and drainage outlets in our barangay have already been cleared. We also ask residents of our barangay to throw their garbage properly to prevent floods,” Guzman said.
Under the Oplan Kontra Baha, clearing and cleaning operations are also simultaneously being conducted in Banago Creek, Maupay Creek, Lupit River, Magsungay River, Tangub Creek, Pahanocoy Creek, Sum-ag River, Circumferential Road, and Mandalagan River.
Scheduled to run until June 2026, the program aims to clean up nine priority waterways and drainage systems, or almost 170 kilometers of rivers, creeks and esteros, and 138 kilometers of drainage systems across the city. (PNA)