BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Local Government Unit (LGU) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Negros Island Region have launched a large-scale collaborative effort dubbed “Oplan Kontra Baha”to combat persistent flooding, kicking off with a DPWH-LGU alignment meeting. Key officials in attendance included Congressman Albee Benitez, DPWH Undersecretary for Special Concerns Charles Calima, DPWH Region 6 Assistant Director OIC Ricardo Gutierrez, DPWH-Bacolod District Engineer Leah Jamero, Mayor Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor ‘Kalaw’ Puentevella, city councilors, and barangay officials from all 61 of the city’s barangays. The meeting featured an overview of recent flooding and damages, with USEC Calima reaffirming the Office of the President’s commitment to assistance. Officials identified primary challenges: clogged drainage, poor stormwater flow, silted waterways, infrastructure blockages, and poor waste management. During Tropical Depression Verbena, 33 barangays were hit by flash floods that rose rapidly in hours after 70mm of rain – a week’s worth – washed over the city. City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer III Eunice Ciocon noted the flooding stemmed from accumulated water draining from upper municipalities Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, exacerbated by high tide starting at 5 AM in low-lying Bacolod. As an immediate response, Congressman Benitez announced a “mega reset,” deploying nearly 3,000 TUPAD Program workers dubbed “river warriors” for a 10-day cleanup starting tomorrow. The operation aims to remove 2 million cubic meters of waste from rivers and creeks. Benitez emphasized this is a “short-term solution” for flood mitigation, with long-term plans still in discussion. He pledged personal support for equipment “I will personally assist in the rental of the necessary equipment to expedite the work,” he stressed He also called on barangay captains to establish urgent waste management guidelines. Mayor Gasataya highlighted the city’s proactive measures, including the use of weather and water level monitoring equipment that significantly aided response efforts during Tropical Depression Verbena. He also urged the DPWH to fast-track key projects, particularly the completion of the diversion channel along Burgos Street in the reclamation area, citing it as a critical factor contributing to flooding in the reclamation area and the BREDCO Port. Additionally, he requested immediate inspections of the damaged flood walls along the Lupit River and in Singcang. “We wanted to approach this on a scientific level. We now have additional equipment needed for the dredging and clearing of waterways, since the last time these operations were conducted was way back in 2016–2017,” Gasataya said. Additionally, the city has issued a 30-day vacate notice for 80 houses in Mambuloc Creek’s danger zone, with relocation sites under discussion. “We need to facilitate the relocation process because some were awardees but still returned to the area,” Gasataya added. The meeting ended with an open forum where barangay officials raised concerns, which the DPWH collated for future planning. A Flood Mitigation Summit is set for December 10 to discuss specific solutions. President Bongbong Marcos is scheduled to visit soon to assess damages from three recent typhoons. (Bacolod City Communications Office)