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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Benitez to convene flood control summit

Benitez to convene flood control summit

Published Aug 17, 2025 05:31 pm
Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez is eyeing a summit to discuss and adopt real, doable solutions to flooding in the country.
MAYOR Greg Gasataya inspects a waterway in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, where 17 tons of garbage were collected during a clearing operation. (Photo via Bacolod City Communications Office)
MAYOR Greg Gasataya inspects a waterway in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, where 17 tons of garbage were collected during a clearing operation. (Photo via Bacolod City Communications Office)
Benitez cited heavy floods that hit this highly-urbanized city and neighboring localities last month due to the southwest monsoon or ''habagat.''
He said that he continues to keep and watch over the projects in this city despite no longer being the mayor, stressing that flooding is a problem that affects everyone, and it will take everyone to solve it.
“Given the continued risks posed by flooding to our home, it is only right to demand accountability and ensure that those behind failed or inadequate projects are punished,” the lawmaker said in a statement released over the weekend.
Benitez stressed that in solving this recurring problem, there is a need to recognize that accountability alone will not keep the communities safe.
Benitez said that through the summit, they would be able to bring the residents of this city, and those from surrounding areas, national and local government and officials, contractors, and experts together to discuss and craft solutions. “We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” he added.
“This 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,” he said, adding that everyone is part of the solution. “If we do not act, no one else will,” he said.
Last Friday, Mayor Greg Gasataya inspected a waterway in Barangay Bata here where 17 tons of garbage were collected during clearing operations.
This city has been conducting a series of cleanup drives as an initial step to address the flooding problem.
“The fight against flooding is not won in a single day, but every time our city comes together to change our ways and set things right, we get closer and closer,” Gasataya said.

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Bacolod City Flood control Rep. Albee Benitez
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