• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Areas in Bacolod City prone to inundation should be declared under a flood management zone to focus efforts to address the continuing risk of flooding for the safety of Bacolodnons, Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said.
Gamboa, in his proposed Bacolod Flood Management Zone ordinance approved on first reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, noted that the highly-urbanized city continuously experiences frequent flooding, not only during typhoons or tropical cyclones, but even during random but heavy downpour.
He said that areas affected by water from specific watersheds and river systems in Bacolod and places assessed as risky should be included in the flood management zones (FMZs).
These include the Mandalagan River watershed, originating from Talisay, flowing into Mandalagan River, and affecting north Bacolod; the Sum-ag River watershed from Mt. Kanlaon area, flowing to south Bacolod and affecting the largest river system in the city; and the Banago/Taculing creeks watersheds, from Central Negros and discharging to various creeks in Bacolod and causing flooding in urban areas.
High-risk barangays should also be listed in the FMZ, including 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40 in the city proper; Banago, Mandalagan, Bata, Granada, Alijis, and Singcang-Airport in the north; and Taculing, Villamonte, Pahanocoy, Cabug, Mansilingan, and Montevista in the south.
“To ensure that flooding risks are not increased and are adequately addressed when they occur, mitigating strategies should be adopted for all developments and infrastructure projects within the declared zones,” Gamboa stressed.
These include rainwater harvesting systems with cistern, installation of permeable or porous pavement for parking and walkways, and ensure that there are no obstructions in waterways and drainage systems.
Declaring specific areas in Bacolod as an FMZ will authorize the Office of the City Mayor to set building and safety requirements consistent with flood mitigation, per the standards and regulations from concerned departments and national governmental agencies. Gamboa added. | CGC
