• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A flood hotspot mapping, hotline and public reporting system for flood-prone areas, clogged or damaged drainage systems, and silted or obstructed waterways, and related concerns in Bacolod should be established and maintained, the Sangguniang Panlungsod said.
The SP said flooding continues to be one of the recurring concerns in the city, affecting residential communities, business establishments, public roads, transportation, and the safety and welfare of the general public.
The establishment of a flood hotspot mapping and public reporting system would enable the City Engineer’s Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the DPWH, barangays, and other concerned offices to “systematically identify, document, monitor, and map recurring flood-prone locations and drainage or waterway problems throughout Bacolod,” Councilor Caesar Distrito said in his resolution approved by the SP.
He added that, instead of merely posting flood-related incidents and concerns on social media, the public should report these directly through the designated city hotline or official reporting platform, or to simultaneously furnish concerned government offices with such reports, so that these may be properly documented, validated, referred to the appropriate office, acted upon, and monitored.
Encouraging residents to use the official reporting mechanism will promote active citizen participation in flood prevention and mitigation, as timely and accurate ground-level information can assist the city government and the DPWH in identifying problem areas and prioritizing appropriate interventions, Distrito added. | CGC
