Bacolod City has officially launched a major offensive against its persistent flooding problems, even as a tropical depression forced a change in the presidential schedule. The program, named Oplan Kontra Baha, was inaugurated on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Barangay 2.
Presidential Visit Postponed Due to Weather
Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was forced to postpone his planned trip to the city on the same day. The President was scheduled to attend the official launching of the anti-flooding program but had to reschedule due to Tropical Depression Wilma. Benitez stated that the President has been updated on the situation in Bacolod and will visit at a later date to inspect the program's progress.
The Details of Oplan Kontra Baha
Led by Rep. Benitez, the program outlines a comprehensive, multi-pronged attack on the causes of flooding. The immediate actions include:
- Clearing all drainage blockages using vacuum sewer jet cleaners.
- Deploying personnel to manually remove waste and debris from waterways.
- Conducting regular dredging and cleaning to restore the full flow of rivers and creeks.
The operation is a joint effort between the Bacolod City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The team will also focus on removing illegal structures along waterways and implementing stricter waste management policies, including strategic scheduling of garbage collection to prevent clogging.
Targeting Nine Critical Waterways
The lawmaker revealed that nine key waterways in Bacolod have been identified for the cleanup operations. These are:
- Banago Creek
- Mandalagan River
- Mambuloc Creek
- Maupay Creek
- Lupit River
- Magsungay River
- Tangub Creek
- Pahanocoy Creek
- Sum-ag River
The urgency of the program was underscored by recent flooding events. On November 25 and 26, 2025, several barangays were inundated due to heavy rains from Tropical Depression Verbena and Tino.
In response, Benitez had already mobilized a short-term cleanup force. At least 3,000 workers from the Tupad Program, dubbed "river warriors," began a 10-day cleanup on November 27, 2025. Their goal is to remove an estimated 2 million cubic meters of waste from the city's rivers and creeks.
Benitez emphasized that this massive cleanup is a short-term solution. He plans to continue the program and hire more workers by January 2026 to meet the clearing targets for all identified waterways. Long-term flood mitigation plans are still being finalized. The congressman also pledged personal support for any additional equipment needed for the operations.
The launching ceremony was attended by Mayor Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor Claudio Puentevella, members of the City Council, DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima Jr., and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bacolod.
