• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In the wake of two major flooding incidents in Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on local government units (LGUs) on Wednesday, Nov. 26, to update their drainage master plans as a way to address perennial flooding issues.
When Typhoon Tino struck on Nov. 4, almost a million Negrenses were affected by the massive floods.
It was followed by another flooding on Nov. 25 due to the effects of Tropical Depression Verbena, which affected about 187,063 residents as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
With San Carlos City now updating its drainage master plan, Lacson said other LGUs should look into that angle, including even updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Flooding was reported in 22 LGUs in Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, because of Tropical Depression Verbena.
Majority of the evacuees, except for the homeless families in La Castellana and Moises Padilla, who lost their houses to Typhoon Tino, have already returned home.
Lacson said that if floods will be a constant happening, “it can discourage investors.” | GB
