BACOLOD CITY – With the national spotlight on flood mitigation, Mayor Greg Gasataya convened barangay leaders and key government agencies to push for a more coordinated approach in addressing this highly-urbanized city’s ongoing waste problems, one of the major causes of flooding.

“Please help us. The city government cannot do this alone,” Gasataya urged during the Solid Waste Management Coordination Meeting here.

Gasataya said accumulated silt and trash in rivers and creeks severely contribute to flooding. He cited recent cleanups in the Banago River, Mambuloc Creek, and Barangay Bata, where around 60 tons of waste were cleared as of Aug. 15.

“No more finger-pointing. We won’t wait for perfect conditions to fix what we can already begin addressing now,” he said. “Rain or shine, holiday or not, we work together for our city.”

The mayor reiterated his commitment to supporting barangay-led waste reduction programs, saying the city is ready to provide the resources needed to ensure effective waste management.

He vowed to assist them, assess their challenges, and make sure there are no excuses after help is extended.

Some barangay officials raised concerns over delayed liquidation of their solid waste management funds, which has hindered the release of their garbage fee shares.

In response, Gasataya – together with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) – unveiled an updated waste collection route plan to be carried out by the city’s private contractor. The revision aims to improve the efficiency and reach of garbage collection.

He vowed to back barangays in enforcing the Anti-Littering Ordinance and reducing residual waste. “We will deal with littering with the full force of the law,” Gasataya said.

Gasataya reiterated the city’s firm stance on enforcing City Ordinance No. 531, Series of 2011, or the Anti-Littering Ordinance, warning that violators will be apprehended and penalized to instill discipline and support flood control efforts in this city.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bacolod Director Christian Nagaynay reminded barangays of their vital roles in road-clearing operations and compliance with the Kalinisan Program, which supports grassroots-level waste management efforts.

Gasataya closed the meeting with a call for solidarity: “Let’s support each other and move forward together.”

Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez met officials and representatives from the city government, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), DILG, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and Bago City, Negros Occidental Vice Mayor Andrew Martin Yulo Torres, for a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Flood Control Summit.

The meeting set the agenda, identified urgent concerns, and ensured that the summit will lead to concrete and effective solutions. Benitez stressed that flooding is a challenge that affects everyone, and through collective action, they can better safeguard communities.