Bacolod: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the massive clean-up of heavily silted and waste-clogged waterways and drainages in Bacolod City could reduce flooding by up to 60 percent. Marcos made the statement, as he assessed the ongoing implementation of the large-scale flood mitigation project, dubbed as Oplan Kontra Baha: Bacolod City Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations, at Mambuloc Creek in Barangay 2.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a message after an onsite inspection, Marcos said the initiative has also been launched in other parts of the country to address chronic flooding. 'Kagaya ng ating ginawa doon sa iba, 'yung dredging at pagkolekta sa basura para naman mabawasan ang baha (Just like what we did in other areas, dredging and collecting waste can help reduce flooding),' Marcos said.
'Ganoon din ang estimate na kapag nalinis natin lahat ng mga ilog, lahat ng mga creek, lahat ng mga estero, matanggal lang natin 'yung basura at makapag-dredge tayo, ang estimate ng ating mga scientists, ang sabi nila mababawasan ang baha (Our scientists estimate that if all rivers, creeks, and esteros are cleared of waste and dredged, flooding could be reduced) by 50 to 60 percent,' he added. Marcos emphasized the importance of clearing and dredging waterways to ensure uninterrupted water flow and reduce flooding.
'Kaya't napakaimportante nitong programa na ito kaya dinadala natin sa iba't ibang lungsod around the country kung saan nakikita natin talagang nagkakabaha (This program is very important, which is why we are bringing it to other cities in the country where severe flooding occurs),' he said. Launched on Dec. 5, the flood mitigation initiative involves dredging, declogging, clearing and maintaining Bacolod City's priority waterways.
The project covers 30,785.69 cubic meters of drainage systems and nine rivers and creeks, with a combined volume of 2,175,323.11 cubic meters. The major waterways include Banago Creek, Mandalagan River, Mambuloc Creek, Maupay Creek, Lupit River, Magsungay River, Tangub Creek, Pahanocoy Creek and the Sum-ag River, spanning a total of 169,447 meters throughout Bacolod City's villages.
The project is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection, with active support from private sector partners. Running from December 2025 to June 2026, Oplan Kontra Baha aims to ensure continuous water flow, reduce flood risk, and enhance community safety through sustained and well-coordinated clearing and maintenance efforts.
