By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government has acquired an additional mini amphibious excavator to intensify clearing and rehabilitation operations along the Mandalagan River as part of its continuing flood mitigation program.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city remains committed to investing in equipment aimed at improving waterways and reducing flooding risks in vulnerable communities.

“This may not solve all the problems in our waterways, but we know we are on the right track. There is no reason to stop rehabilitation efforts,” Gasataya said in a statement released yesterday.

According to City Engineer Loben Rafael Ceballos, the newly acquired mini amphibious excavator will complement the city’s recently procured long-arm excavator and dump truck, with the equipment package amounting to more than P45 million.

Ceballos said the equipment will be used for river desilting, clearing clogged waterways, and removing sediment buildup in drainage systems across the city.

He noted that the smaller amphibious excavator is specifically designed for operations in narrow waterways and areas beneath bridges where heavy silt accumulation has been identified.

The City Engineer’s Office is currently conducting assessments in various barangays to determine priority deployment areas for the new equipment.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways showed that around 2,120 tons of silt were removed from the Mandalagan River between October and December 2025.

A hydrographic survey conducted by the City Engineer’s Office also found that sediment buildup had reduced the river mouth depth to approximately one meter.

The sustained rehabilitation of rivers and drainage systems remains a priority as Bacolod continues efforts to protect flood-prone communities from severe flooding during heavy rains./CJ, WDJ