BACOLOD CITY – A P300-million allocation for the construction of three floodgates here, initially planned under the General Appropriations Act this year, was scrapped.

BENITEZ (Glazyl Masculino)
Mayor Albee Benitez said that he has raised the issue with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Benitez stressed that the floodgates are a solution to the city’s flooding problems. “I have told the President that this is necessary for flooding solution,” he said.
He said that the President has expressed commitment to find a way to restore the fund.
Benitez said that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan is advocating for the reinstatement of the fund. “Hopefully, this year, the funds will be restored,” the mayor said.
The original proposal aimed to build a total of five floodgates with pumping stations across this city’s major rivers. Three rivers were initially chosen for the floodgates: Mandalagan, Magsungay, and Lupit. Each floodgate costs P100 million and will be implemented by the DPWH.
“Upon hearing the importance of the floodgate project, I think they will try to put it back this year,” Benitez said.