Heavy rains yesterday evening caused some streets in Bacolod City to flood, but an official said there was no flooding  in Brgy. Banago, which is a major flood-prone area.

Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Joemarie Vargas, last  night  said there was no flooding in Banago that he visited at about 8 p.m. during high tide despite the fact that the floodway project of the Department of Public Works and Highway has just been started.

He said at least the volume of water can now be accommodated by the Banago River, which is being dredged by the city government.

But the DAILY STAR received reports of flooding along the Libertad Market and Lacson-Lizares streets last night.

“We are monitoring the situation in the city and we will take a look at the areas reported to have flooded,” Vargas said.

The drainage system along Lacson Street, which is believed to be the cause of flooding, will be the next project of the city together with the DPWH, after the completion of the construction of the floodway project in Banago and the dredging of the Banago and Mandalagan Rivers, he said.

Lacson Street is a national road under the jurisdiction of the DPWH, he said.

Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has requested the DPWH for additional funding for the completion of the drainage floodway project in Brgy. Banago, before the start of the rainy season.

In his letter dated Feb. 26, 2008 to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Leonardia said they are requesting for an additional funding of P10 million to enable DPWH-Bacolod District Office to complete the excavation and rip-rap of the remaining 500 meters of the drainage floodway at the Banago Creek.

He said P6 million has already been released to DPWH-Bacolod District Office for the first 300 meters out of the 800-meter floodway project.

Leonardia also furnished Ebdane a copy of his letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dated February 19, reiterating and confirming their verbal appeal made to her last February 15 at Malacañang for the release of additional funds worth P10 million to complete the project.

In his letter to the President, Leonardia said: “Considering that the project is critical to mitigating future floods in northern Bacolod City and considering that we need this project completed before the onset of the rainy season, may we beg for your intervention with DPWH National Office and the funding agency concerned if it is possible to hasten the release of the additional P10 million that was already requested by the DPWH-Bacolod.

Leonardia also informed Arroyo that for its part, the city government is presently undertaking the dredging of two waterways in northern Bacolod – the Banago Creek and Mandalagan River.

He told her that the city is also assisting DPWH in the removal of illegal structures and informal settlers along these waterways.

Leonardia said: “Madame President, it is our utmost hope that by this appeal made direct to your Office, the other national agencies concerned will understand the plight of our city and our urgent need for the early completion of this project.”

Executive Assistant to the Mayor Butch Ebreo yesterday said the city is ready to initiate the digging of the 500 meters once the DPWH finishes the 300 meters of the floodway. They are also negotiating with the Philippine National Bank to dig the floodway right on the property of the bank, he said.

Ebreo said they have an action plan in case the decision of PNB in allowing the city to dig is delayed.

He said they are confident that once the floodway is done, flooding can be eliminated or at least minimized in the northern portion of Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, Ebreo said they have received reports that there are trisikads being hired to dump garbage in the Banago Bridge. He requested the public to be vigilant and to report such activity to them.*CGS

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