• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod city government is requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 to leave the sluice gate of the diversion channel open at all times to prevent recurring flooding in nearby areas.
The recommendation follows an assessment by the head of the City Engineer’s Office, Engr. Loben Ceballos, after street-level flooding in the afternoon of July 28.
Ceballos said the sluice gate was only partially opened that day, restricting the discharge of rainwater from Mambuloc Creek and surrounding drainage systems, and causing floodwaters to rise to curb level in parts of the downtown area that afternoon.
Because the DPWH 6 has not yet formally turned over the diversion channel project, the city government currently lacks authorized access to the locked facility to manually adjust the gates during heavy rains.
“Our recommendation, based on continuing observation, is to request the DPWH to keep the sluice gate open all the time, except when there is an impending storm surge forecast,” Ceballos said, noting that keeping the gate open offers a clear advantage during typical high tides, or heavy rainfall.
Ceballos also recommended the redesigning of the channel’s discharge outlet, pointing out that the current 1.3×1.5-meter structure prevents a full-volume water outflow.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city government will seek an official conference with the DPWH to finalize an agreement on operational protocols, and clarify management responsibilities in the reclamation area’s flood control infrastructure. | TMD
