By CESAR JOLITO III

In a proactive move to strengthen disaster preparedness, the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has begun site inspections in flood-prone areas and is set to install early warning devices in eight barangays across the city.

The initiative targets communities historically affected by heavy rains and typhoons, aiming to enhance real-time monitoring and alert systems that can save lives and reduce property damage during flooding events.

The eight priority villages identified for the deployment of specialized flood monitoring devices are Barangays 10, 39, 40, Bata, Mandalagan, Singcang-Airport, Pahanocoy, and Taculing.

DRRMO explained that the devices are designed to detect rising water levels and immediately trigger alerts through loudspeakers and mobile notifications.

Residents will be given sufficient time to secure their homes, gather essential belongings, and evacuate to designated safety centers if necessary.

These systems will provide real-time data and early warnings, enabling faster and more effective responses to flooding.

Assessment teams are currently determining the most strategic placements for the devices to ensure maximum coverage and effectiveness.

The city government is working closely with barangay officials to prepare communities for the installations and educate residents on how to respond to the alerts./CJ, WDJ