Bacolod city: The city government here is implementing critical drainage improvements to prevent a repeat of floods caused by monsoon rains that affected more than 5,000 Bacolodnons over the weekend. This is among the immediate remedies and long-term flood mitigation strategies discussed by Mayor Greg Gasataya and Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez during the special meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, among the immediate actions is the emergency dredging of the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River. Mayor Gasataya emphasized the necessity for all departments and the City Council to work collaboratively, urging for quick and effective solutions to address the drainage issues. He also ordered the identification of optimal water channels and the clearing of obstructed floodways.

Benitez has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit cost estimates for a proposed flood mitigation project to expedite its implementation. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the installation of floodgates and pumping stations in vulnerable areas, such as Barangays Banago and Mandalagan, to enhance water discharge capacity and prevent water surges.

Most of the affected families evacuated during the floods early Saturday morning in the northern part of the city were from Barangay Banago. In Purok Katilingban, where 132 families reside, floodwaters did not subside until personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office drained the area Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares on Monday appealed to residents to help the city government address flooding by disposing of garbage properly to prevent clogging of drainage and waterways. She announced plans to clean the drainage systems and conduct dredging of major rivers in Talisay, which also experienced flooding over the weekend affecting 15,605 persons in 16 barangays.