• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez will soon spearhead the convening of a flood control summit to help address the flooding in the city.
Benitez said in a statement he will bring together Bacolod residents and those from surrounding areas, national and local government and officials, contractors, and experts to discuss, resolve and adopt real, doable solutions to flooding.
“Given the continued risks posed by flooding to our home, it is only right to demand accountability and ensure that those behind failed, or inadequate projects, are punished,” he added. “But to solve this recurring problem, we must recognize that accountability alone will not keep our communities safe”.
He explained that the summit is not about pointing fingers, “it is about rolling up our sleeves and putting our heads together to find concrete ways to protect lives, homes, and livelihoods”.
“At the end of the day, we are all part of the solution, and if we do not act, no one else will,” he added.
His son, Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, has called for the creation of Bacolod-Metro Third Flood and Climate Resilience Master Plan and Resilience Program.
The initiative is a coordinated blueprint for Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and nearby towns, unifying drainage designs, floodgate systems, river restoration and upstream watershed production, actual implementation of building infrastructure, restoring waterways, enforcing accountability, and ensuring projects being done right and on time.
The younger Benitez said he is ready to work with national and local officials, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other agencies to make it happen.
“We may not be in control of the weather, but there are actions we must take to be better,” he added. | GB
