After two decades of flooding, villagers seek gov't action
BACOLOD CITY -- Tired of flooding in their area, which has been occuring for almost two decades already, some 552 families in Barangay Tangub have signed an open letter addressed to City Mayor Evelio Leonardia calling for immediate action to their problem.
Residents of Brgy. Tangub, especially in Purok Matahum, Kasilingan, Sunflower, United Roadside and Purok Ramylu in Ramylu Village asked the help of the Bacolod Anti-BAHA Alliance, a private organization advocating for a clean and flood-free Bacolod, to have their concern raised to the city government.
Tangub Barangay Captain Carlos Montaño, Engineer Vic Gico, Jr., and several barangay officials and concerned residents recently met with Bacolod City Councilor Roberto Rojas and the members of the Bacolod Anti-BAHA Alliance led by Mrs. Jean Trebol, Agnes Jalandoni and Maggie Jalandoni to discuss possible solutions to the problem.
The residents complain that all roads and drainage in their community are defective; impassable during heavy rains especially at Punta Bato, Purok Ramylu causing hazard to residents especially children; and there are road portions where floodwater reaches more than 12 inches above road ways.
Based on the discussion one possible option that is being eyed to minimize flooding in the area is to provide open canal on both sides of the existing concrete road from Purok Matahum to connect to the 20 meters ROW Ramylu Drive Road and drain the floodwater to Tangub River.
Councilor Rojas said, he will bring the matter to the City Legal Office through Atty. Vic Petierre and to the City Engineer's Office.
Mrs. Trebol said they listened to the plight of the Tangub residents and Councilor Rojas promised to get Atty. Petierre to connect with the Ramylu village residents next week.
Councilor Rojas already brought to the attention of Mayor Leonardia the problem of Brgy. Tangub residents, to which the chief executive vowed to address it.
To note, the city government is also seeking possible solutions to the flood problem in Sta. Clara Subdivision but it has not been fully addressed due to budgetary constraints.
Currently, there is an 800-meter flood way being established near the Sta. Clara Subdivision and Banago-Bata area but it is still unfinished.