Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday met with the officers of the Kimara Homeowners Association, Inc. of Purok Mahimulaton, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City to discuss their concerns over flooding.

The KHAI requested for the construction of a drainage system in their property to prevent flood during rainy days, a press release from City Hall said.  They also requested for a backfill of the swampy portion in the area where their houses are built and for a riprap to be constructed in the lot area adjacent to the Guimaras Strait to prevent erosion.

The association also requested for a lot acquisition loan to purchase the more than 13,000 square meters of residential lots they are now occupying, the release said.

Rossana Garcia, an officer of the association, said there are 149 home owners occupying the property, which becomes flooded when the rains come, since the original drainage has been covered by the residents.

Marde Calo-oy, originator of the Shelter for Homeless and Economic Development Inc., said there is no drainage system along San Juan Street.

The mayor suggested that the residents use the Bayanihan system of building the drainage within the lot, while the city will take care of the drainage outside the property.

Leonardia has assigned engineer Joel Locsin to inspect and study how the drainage will be built. He also asked engineer Teresita Guadalupe to seek excess backfill materials as donations from private constructions because the city cannot use government funds on the project.

With regards to the riprap, the city has a Sure Protection Program with P350,000 that will be used to build the structure that will be connected to the existing riprap in the area.

Locsin and Guadalupe promised to submit their assessment and plans to address the problem to the mayor on May 7, 2008.*

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