BACOLOD CITY - Severe flooding triggered by Tropical Depression "Verbena" has submerged more than half of Bacolod City's barangays, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and prompting emergency meetings between local and national officials.
Widespread Devastation Across Bacolod
Tropical Depression Verbena unleashed its fury on Bacolod City on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with torrential rains and strong winds causing massive flooding across 32 of the city's 61 barangays. The Department of Social Services and Development reported that 5,312 families comprising 15,875 individuals have been displaced from their homes, while at least 53 houses were completely destroyed as of Wednesday morning, November 26.
The affected areas include Bredco Port and barangays 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 27, 31, 35, 36, 39, 40, and 41. Other severely impacted communities were Bata, Banago, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Taculing, Sum-ag, Cabug, Montevista, Alijis, Singcang-Airport, Mandalagan, Estefania, Villamonte, and Tangub.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
In one of the most dramatic incidents, raging floodwaters reaching six feet high invaded homes in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang-Airport, trapping residents on their roofs who desperately called for help as the storm battered the city. Rescue teams from the Bacolod Bureau of Fire Protection joined forces with volunteer organizations to evacuate hundreds of stranded residents from the danger zone.
Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that many affected families remain sheltered in various evacuation centers throughout the city. The DSSD and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office have been actively distributing relief packs to displaced families, providing essential supplies during the emergency.
Record Rainfall Overwhelms City Infrastructure
Mayor Gasataya revealed startling rainfall data that explains the severity of the flooding. "Bacolod's average daily rainfall is 10 mm, but between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Tuesday, the city recorded 70.50 mm—not including runoff from surrounding areas," the mayor stated. This extraordinary downfall, representing seven times the normal daily average in just four hours, overwhelmed the city's drainage systems.
The flooding was exacerbated by overflowing rivers including Magsungay, Lupit, Mambuloc, Banago, and Mandalagan, combined with heavy runoff from neighboring municipalities of Murcia, Talisay, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Silay. The convergence of these water sources created perfect conditions for rapid flooding in low-lying areas.
High-Level Meeting Addresses Flood Crisis
In response to the emergency, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Charles Calima Jr. convened a crucial meeting with city officials led by Mayor Gasataya and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday.
The gathering brought together barangay officials and DPWH personnel to develop immediate and long-term solutions to the city's recurring flood problems. Mayor Gasataya emphasized the need for community cooperation in finding lasting solutions, particularly regarding waste management practices that contribute to clogged waterways.
"We need everyone's cooperation and understanding. The city can prepare anytime, but lasting solutions, especially in waste management, depend on all of us," Gasataya appealed. "Our rivers overflowed, and some areas flooded fast. We're doing everything we can on the ground, but we need the communities, especially the barangays, to help us keep waterways clear."
Infrastructure Impact and Silver Lining
The storm's aftermath included significant infrastructure disruptions, with power interruptions reported in several barangays and 11 roads temporarily closed due to flooding. Despite the widespread damage and displacement, city authorities reported one positive outcome: zero casualties from the severe weather event, crediting timely evacuations and emergency response efforts.
The coordinated response between local government units, national agencies, and community organizations demonstrates Bacolod's commitment to disaster management, even as officials acknowledge the need for more comprehensive flood mitigation strategies in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns.
