• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, June 9 the city’s culminating flood mitigation summit marks a significant shift in how flood control projects will be identified, prioritized, and funded.
He emphasized a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach.
In his speech during the 3rd Bacolod Flood Mitigation Summit at Maria Kucina, Benitez said “through this whole-of-government, whole-of-society roadmap, we are collectively, reimagining Bacolod’s flood plans based on the lived experiences of our people, guided by science, strengthened by cooperation, and anchored on our shared responsibility to care for the environment.”
“And if we remain united, committed and relentless in pursuing solutions, there is no reason why Bacolod cannot become a model for resilience – not only in the Philippines, but anywhere in the world,” he added.
The summit brought together not only government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, but also non-government organizations (NGOs), business groups, and other stakeholders to determine the most effective flood mitigation measures for the city and its neighboring areas.
“The output of the flood summit will determine what flood control projects should be funded, not only by government agencies but with the participation of NGOs and other stakeholders,” the lawmaker said.
The proposed flood mitigation program, estimated to cost around P6 billion, includes medium- and long-term solutions.
He noted that the bulk of the proposed interventions will focus on the Mandalagan and Banago rivers, which were identified by the technical working group during the summit as among the major sources of flooding in the area.
Benitez said the new approach differs significantly from previous flood control planning.
“Before, we saw the Department of Public Works and Highways implementing flood control projects, but we did not know how those projects were selected,” he said. “This time, the proposals were presented to the public, NGOs, and stakeholders, who were able to provide inputs on what projects should be implemented.”
Benitez described the process as a major change in identifying and determining flood control projects that will eventually be funded by the national government.
Benitez also acknowledged recommendations submitted by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which are already included in the proposals presented during the summit.
While the proposed projects have yet to be finalized, Benitez said all concerned government agencies have been directed to prioritize projects included in the summit’s recommendations.
The lawmaker said he expects the executive branch to finalize the list of projects either by next week or before the end of the month.
“In fact, by the time of the State of the Nation Address, or a few weeks after, we expect to see these projects reflected in the National Expenditure Program,” he said.
Benitez added that efforts are underway to secure funding for the flood mitigation measures, noting that all flood control projects were removed from the 2026 budget proposal to allow government planners to reassess and determine which projects are truly needed.
The flood mitigation summit’s recommendations are expected to serve as the basis for a more strategic and science-based flood management program aimed at addressing the long-standing flooding problems in Bacolod and nearby communities. | GB
