By CESAR JOLITO III
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has taken full responsibility for the persistent flooding in parts of the city over the weekend, saying the local government unit is directly addressing the issue and not placing blame on any individual or agency.
“As your mayor, akon ini responsibilidad. Wala ko ‘ya nagapanago,” Gasataya said yesterday, amid criticisms following recent flooding incidents in several areas of the city.
“Waay na ‘ni ‘ya tudloanay. Atubangon ta ‘ni. Let’s bite the bullet because aton ini problema tanan tanan,” he added.
Gasataya acknowledged that factors such as heavy rainfall and high tides contribute to flooding, particularly in low-lying and reclamation areas.
However, he emphasized that identifying the causes is not enough, stressing that the city government’s duty is to implement concrete and long-term solutions.
Gasataya said he has already ordered the contractor of the Bacolod Diversion Channel project to speed up construction, noting that the project is a key flood-mitigation measure intended to ease water buildup in flood-prone areas, especially in the reclamation zone.
He added that national government officials are also closely monitoring the project’s progress.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Charles Calima earlier directed the contractor to ensure there will be no further delays in the completion of the diversion channel.
City officials said the timely completion of the project this month is expected to significantly improve drainage capacity in Bacolod, as the city continues to experience intensified rainfall during the wet season.
The city government assured residents that it remains committed to coordinating with DPWH and other concerned agencies to address flooding and strengthen disaster preparedness efforts across Bacolod.
As of January this year, DPWH has removed more than 25,700 cubic meters of silt from major waterways, including Mambuloc Creek, Mandalagan River, Banago Creek, and Lupit River.
Additionally, DPWH reported the removal of over 2,600 cubic meters of waste from national and local drainage systems across the city as part of ongoing declogging operations aimed at improving water flow and reducing flood risks during the rainy season.
Over the weekend, 14 barangays in Bacolod experienced significant flooding as a result of torrential rainfall induced by a shear line, displacing 320 families, composed of 1,038 individuals.
Authorities said runoff from the city’s mountainous and eastern areas caused water levels to increase quickly, pushing some rivers close to overflow./CJ, WDJ