A resolution declaring an imminent danger of calamity for the City of Bacolod was unanimously passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to justify the use of the city's 30 percent calamity fund for disaster preparedness

The SP Friday formally acted on the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to declare the city in a state of imminent danger of calamity in anticipation of future flashfloods like the one that devastated a lot of key areas in the city and which rendered a number of families homeless last Dec. 20, 2006.

The flashflood caused by four hours of heavy rain was brought about by Typhoon Tomas although it did not directly hit the city.

Councilor Lyndon Caña said the resolution is the basis of the Mayor for using the calamity fund for disaster preparedness which is allowed by a joint Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Budget and Management circular Series of 2003. It allows the use of calamity fund even without a calamity taking place, he said.

Caña said that, based on a Weather Bureau announcement, there are six cyclones, or super typhoons, expected to hit the Philippines in 2007.

He said Section 17 of the Local Government Code authorizes the local government to undertake measures for flood control.

The SP also passed another resolution Friday requiring the City Planning and Development Office to appropriate P50 million under the Annual Investment Plan of the city for 2007 for flood control to include the clearing of silted waterways, dredging of Brgy. Bata-Banago Creek and other similar works.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said they expect the City Engineer's Office to start the dredging as soon as the fund is available. He said this will ensure that, in case of heavy rains, the water will easily flow towards the sea.

Caña said, the project will include Sta. Clara Subdivision, Capitolville and the depressed communities in Brgys. 8 and Banago that have experienced flooding.*CGS

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