BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Tuesday, November 28, said Japanese consultants are interested in helping address flooding here.

“They’re going around the city trying to identify the best solutions for our flood,” Benitez said in a press briefing.

BENITEZ gestures in a press briefing on November 28 in Bacolod. (Glazyl Masculino)

Benitez, who met them prior to the press briefing at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), said these consultants are working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and exploring drainage and flood control projects here.

One of the proposed solutions of the city is the installation of flood gates and pumping stations in five major rivers here that will bring out water from the mountains and prevent the entry of water from the high tide, according to Benitez.

Benitez said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has finished its program of works for the flood gates and pumping stations and they have proposed a project cost of P500 million with the government.

He said the budget is primarily for the construction of the floodgates in five rivers – Magsungay, Banago, Pahanocoy-Sum-ag, Lupit, and Mandalagan.

“Eventually, we will upgrade our rivers and outflows.”

Benitez believed that if the city effectively manages the river outlets, the flood control project will be effective and there will be no flooding here.

He is hoping to start the project next year.

The city government welcomed the help of JICA and ADB on the project.

Aside from the Japanese, a Dutch company has also expressed interest in coming up with solutions to address flooding here. It has a series of preventive systems that have been successful in The Netherlands.