Bacolod City – Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez intends to spearhead a flood control summit, to help address the flooding in highly urbanized Bacolod City.
Benitez, in a statement, said he will bring in Bacolod City residents, and those from surrounding areas, national and local government and officials, contractors, and experts to discuss, resolve, and adopt real and doable solutions to the flooding in the highly urbanized city.
Despite flood control measures being implemented over the past several years, highly urbanized Bacolod City has not been spared from flooding.
Benitez said given the continued risks posed by flooding to our homes, it is only right to demand accountability and ensure that those behind failed or inadequate projects are punished.
But to solve this recurring problem, we must recognize that accountability alone will not keep our communities safe, he added.
While he is no longer the mayor, Benitez said he will continue to keep watch over the projects in Bacolod City, as congressman.
He explained that the summit is not about pointing fingers.
It is about rolling up our sleeves and putting our heads together to find concrete ways to protect lives, homes and livelihoods, Benitez said.
At the end of the day, we are all part of the solution, and if we do not act, no one else will, he added.
His son, Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, called for Bacolod-Metro Third Flood and Climate Resilience Master Plan and Resilience Program – a coordinated blueprint for Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and nearby towns, unifying drainage designs, floodgate systems, river restoration and upstream watershed production, actual implementation of building infrastructure, restoring waterways, enforcing accountability, and ensuring projects being done right and on time.
The younger Benitez, in a separate statement, said that he is ready to work with national and local officials, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other agencies to make it happen.
We may not be in control of the weather, but there are actions we must take to be better, he added.
Former Governor Rafael Coscolluela, whose family lives in Bacolod City, earlier said that experts should study more closely the flooding program, to come up with long-term science-based solutions, as the city government continues cleaning up its drainage system, removal illegal structures and try to get its citizens to be more responsible of their trash.
In his social media account, Coscolluela said a review of Bacolod’s old master plan and analysis on why flooding has worsened, would be a good start, and the same goes for other local government units. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)