Bacolod Councilor Roberto Rojas yesterday said the city has completed the demolition of the remaining structures of 24 families in Purok Mahimulaton, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City during the weekend.

He said this will be the last demolition to be conducted in Purok Mahimulaton and that the affected families have already relocated to the seawall and to the Kimara Association in the same area.

Previously, the city had demolished structures involving 52 families in Mahimulaton due to the clearing operations it is conducting at the Banago Creek to address the flood problem in the city.

Rojas said the city will put up a “pika-pika” or a retaining wall at the seawall in Purok Mahimulaton to serve as protection for the structures of the residents.

He said the dredging of the Banago Creek in Purok Mahimulaton is expected to be finished by March 15 and the city will conduct dredging operations in the Mandalagan Creek starting March 16 or 17.

Rojas said they are also considering setting up a team from the city and the DPWH to jointly conduct clearing operations along national and city streets to address the drainage problem.

He said the City Engineer’s Office and the DPWH are also updating the city’s drainage master plan.

Meanwhile, Rojas said the floodway project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Purok Riverside, Brgy. Banago, which was started in December, had stopped because the agency had to seek assistance from the city because it could not provide relocation sites and financial assistance to the affected families in the area.

He said the legal counsel of the DPWH will arrive in Bacolod on Friday to meet with City Legal Officer Allan Zamora to discuss the removal of the illegal structures in Purok Riverside so the construction of the project can continue. The floodway will help address the flooding problem in the northern portion of the city, he said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia had, earlier, requested the President to release the remaining budget intended for the 800-meter floodway project in Purok Riverside since the DPWH has an available budget of P6 million, which is only good for the completion of 300 meters.

Leonardia yesterday congratulated Rojas, Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas and other members of their team, saying he believes they have done a good job. If there are those who believe otherwise, they are entitled to their opinion, he said. He also thanked the affected families for their cooperation, he said, adding that the city will do its best to give the necessary assistance it could extend them.*CGS

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