The city government here is implementing critical drainage improvements to prevent a repeat of floods caused by monsoon rains that affected more than 5,000 Bacolodnons over the weekend.

This is among the immediate remedies and long-term flood mitigation strategies discussed by Mayor Greg Gasataya and Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez during the special meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday.

Among the immediate actions is the emergency dredging of the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River.

“All departments and the City Council should work together. Let’s have quick and real solutions. Let’s get it done,” Gasataya said in a statement.

He also ordered identifying the optimal water channels and clearing of obstructed floodways.

Benitez asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit cost estimates for a proposed flood mitigation project to fast track its implementation.

He said installing floodgates and pumping stations in vulnerable areas, such as Barangays Banago and Mandalagan, should be prioritized to enhance water discharge capacity and prevent water surges.

Most of the affected families evacuated during the floods early Saturday morning in the northern part of the city were from Barangay Banago.

In Purok Katilingban, where 132 families reside, floodwaters did not subside until personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office drained the area Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares on Monday appealed to residents to help the city government address flooding by disposing garbage properly to prevent clogging of drainage and waterways.

“We are also planning to clean our drainage and conduct dredging of our major rivers,” Lizares said during the flag-raising ceremony.

Located adjacent to Bacolod, Talisay also experienced flooding over the weekend that affected 15,605 persons in 16 barangays. (PNA)