Bacolod City – Heavy downpour from Tropical Depression Verbena has hit 31 barangays in Bacolod City, displacing 2,543 families or about 8,375 individuals and leaving 23 families homeless as of Tuesday, November 25. Raging floodwaters as high as 6 feet entered houses in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang-Airport past 8 AM, trapping residents on their roofs who called for help as the storm wreaked havoc across the city. Members of the Bacolod Bureau of Fire Protection and rescue volunteers from multiple organizations responded, evacuating hundreds in the area. Preliminary data from the City Social Services and Development Office (DSSD) confirmed the displacement figures, with about 20% of affected families undergoing pre-emptive evacuation. While some initially hesitated to leave, most evacuated as water levels rose. Power interruptions were reported in several barangays, and 11 roads were temporarily closed due to flooding. Overflowing rivers including Magsungay, Lupit, Mambuloc, Banago, and Mandalagan, combined with heavy runoff from neighboring Murcia, Talisay, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Silay, worsened flooding in low-lying areas. Mayor Greg Gasataya noted that Bacolod’s average daily rainfall is 10 mm, but between 3 AM and 7 AM Tuesday, the city recorded 70.50 mm – not including runoff from surrounding areas. During a visit to Purok Mars to deliver relief supplies, a woman approached the mayor, crying as she recounted losing her belongings to the flood. “Words felt meaningless in the face of such loss. What mattered was simply being there, standing with her, holding space for her grief, and letting her know she will not face this problem on her own,” Gasataya said, assuring residents of continued support. “We will come to you. We will listen to you. We will stand with you.” He also emphasized the need for community cooperation in addressing long-term solutions. “We need everyone’s cooperation and understanding. The city can prepare anytime, but lasting solutions especially in waste management depend on all of us. Our rivers overflowed and some areas flooded fast. We’re doing everything we can on the ground, but we need the communities especially the barangays to help us keep waterways clear,” Mayor Gasataya said. Despite the onslaught, the city reported zero casualties. As of press time, the DSSD has distributed 2,191 family food packs to hardest-hit areas: – Barangay Singcang-Airport – 1,200 – Barangay 39 – 734 – Barangay Mansilingan – 50 (JJ Gonzaga: 15; Barangay Gym: 35) – Barangay Taculing – 207 (BCNHS: 171; Community Center: 16; Puentevella: 20) (Source: Bacolod City Communications Office)