Bacolod City – The City Engineering Office (CEO) began the demolition of the overflow bridge at Kabiguan Creek in Purok Mabinuligon, Barangay Sum-ag here yesterday, October 23, to mitigate flooding in the village and nearby areas.
The said structure, made of RC pipe culverts, was constructed by a private individual who owns the lot where the structure was situated.
Engineer Loben Ceballos, officer-in-charge of the CEO, told the media yesterday that during a meeting on Monday, October 21, they agreed to remove the overflow bridge to let the water flow properly.
Present during the meeting were personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), City Legal Office (CLO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the lot owner’s representative, and Councilor Pao Sy, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on public works.
Ceballos said the owner, whose name was withheld, failed to join the meeting due to health reasons.
Following the demolition, the DPWH-Bacolod City Engineering District pledged to construct a bamboo footbridge in the area.
On Monday, the CLO and CEO inspected the structure and they found out that it constricts the flow of water.
“Amo na siya ang effect kay ang Kabiguan Creek is the outfall of the surrounding areas,” Ceballos said.
Data from the CDRRMO showed that over 50 families from barangays Sum-ag and Pahanocoy were evacuated on Monday due to flooding following heavy rains.
The affected families were living near the creek and other areas consider as flood-prone in the two barangays./PN
