Verbena as a Wake-Up Call for Drainage, Trash, Governance

Table of Contents

Bacolod’s Flood Reckoning: Verbena, Trash, Failed Projects — and the Urgent Call for Accountability

Disclaimer: This article is not a definitive, genius-level treatise. Rather, it’s an invitation — a space for ideas, opinions, and realistic debate. Please feel free to comment, critique, or suggest solutions — because meaningful change demands community voices too.

1. Floods Were Not Just a Shock — They Were a Stress Test

When Tropical Depression Verbena struck in late November 2025, the storm laid bare more than just Bacolod’s exposure to extreme weather. The deluge flooded barangays like Singcang-Airport, Mandalagan, Sum-ag, and more, prompting massive evacuations, impromptu rescues, and late-night relief operations. But the human cost was only part of the story — Verbena exposed deeper systemic failures: aging or under-capacity drainage, weak enforcement of waste-management laws, and infrastructure projects that remain promises, not protections.

Screenshot from the post of the Visayan Daily Star

2. Drainage & Infrastructure: Are the Solutions Actually Working?

2.1 Pump-Gate System: Innovation Meets Reality

Bacolod City claims to be the first local government in the Philippines to adopt a Pump and Flood-Gate System across its major rivers: Mandalagan, Magsungay, and Lupit. These are meant to control water levels, rehabilitate drains, and reduce flood risk. Bacolod City
But funding has been volatile. A ₱300 million allocation for three floodgates was initially approved but later scrapped. Manila Bulletin+2Daily Guardian+2
Local officials continue pushing: Mayor Benitez is now eyeing ₱500 million to build five floodgates + pumping stations, arguing that current funds aren’t enough. SunStar Publishing Inc.
The DPWH-JICA has considered floodgates for five rivers, not just three, as part of a broader mitigation plan. Philippine News Agency

Analysis: On paper, this is a bold, technical solution. But the gap between planning and delivery raises serious questions: are these systems actually built? Fully funded? Properly maintained? The scrapped budget suggests political or bureaucratic fragility, and unless the gates + pumps are operational, they remain promises, not protection.

2.2 River Rehabilitation & Sediment Removal

In October 2025, Bacolod began a major desilting operation on the Mandalagan River. The city plans to remove around 54,000 cubic meters of silt from about 500 meters of river mouth — because recent surveys showed sediment buildup that worsens backflow during rain. Bacolod City
According to city engineers, this “ramp” of silt at the river’s outlet is part of what makes flooding so severe: it reduces the river’s capacity to channel water out during heavy rainfall. Bacolod City

Analysis: The commitment to dredging is encouraging, but it also highlights how long-term maintenance has been neglected. If routine desilting is only now being ramped up, it could mean prior projects overlooked the basic hydrodynamic realities of these waterways.

2.3 Policy & Ordinance: Waterways Under Law — But Not Always Under Guard

Ordinance No. 1024 (2023) defines all “rivers, esteros, canals, drainage, and other water outlets” in Bacolod and mandates their “recovery, rehabilitation, and protection.” Bacolod City
The ordinance also prohibits “indiscriminate dumping/littering” in these water channels, making the protection of waterways a legal responsibility, not just a planning ideal. Bacolod City

Analysis: The law is strong on paper. But legal instruments are only as effective as enforcement. Without regular inspections, community reporting, and actual penalties, ordinances risk being symbolic.

3. Trash & Waste: Policy, Practice, and the Clogged Reality

3.1 Anti-Littering & Waterway Protection Laws

Bacolod already has an anti-littering ordinance (Ordinance No. 531, s. 2011) prohibiting litter in public places and waterways — with fines and community service penalties.
More recently, Ordinance 1024 (2023) targets solid waste in rivers and drainage systems, affirming that waterway protection must go hand in hand with waste management. Bacolod City

3.2 Garbage Traps: Innovation in Action

A garbage trap device was installed in Mambuloc Creek, designed to catch floating waste for easier collection. Data from the City’s Environment and Engineering offices show they pull 22 sacks of trash daily from that creek. Philippine News Agency
The city claims to be investing ₱186 million for drainage improvements, including pumping stations and floodgates near tidal areas (like BREDCO port) — because flood risk comes not just from inland runoff, but from seawater surge. Philippine News Agency

Analysis: These tools are useful. The trap is practical, and the funding commitment shows political will. Yet, the constant trash inflow means traps can quickly become overwhelmed without upstream behavior change, better litter control, and more robust enforcement.

from the post of vlogger Marnell Castro

4. Accountability: Who’s to Blame — and Why Projects May Be Failing

4.1 Funding Failures & Political Risk

The ₱300 million floodgate fund earmarked for three rivers was scrapped, which is a major setback. Manila Bulletin
Legislators and local leaders, however, haven’t given up. Mayor Benitez is pushing for ₱500 million to build gates in five rivers — signaling that the ambition hasn’t died, even if execution lags. SunStar Publishing Inc.+1
There is broad political support for investigation: in August 2025, Bacolod officials publicly backed a national probe into flood-control projects, ordered by the President. Philippine Information Agency+1

4.2 Implementation Doubts + Public Skepticism

On Reddit and other platforms, some citizens accuse the government of “ghost” or substandard flood control projects. > “47 ang nakabenefit sang flood control project nga non-existent or ghost projects … Pasagad sagad na lang na pangita loophole sa sistema.” reddit.com
Others point to repeated flooding in the same barangays, suggesting that infrastructure investments have not translated into meaningful flood resilience. > “Every heavy rain, pareho man gihapon … diin ni nagkadto ang kwarta?” reddit.com
Some residents also feel the narrative is being manipulated: they argue the administration highlights trash as the main culprit — deflecting from drainage failures and unfinished infrastructure. > “the garbage/debris ga cause sang flood … but … kadako ka budget, part na sang budget to clear … but Failed Flood Projects?” reddit.com

Analysis: The combination of funding retractions, public skepticism, and leadership’s uneasy ownership of accountability suggests a major credibility gap. Infrastructure and laws may be in place, but without transparency, functioning systems, and consistent enforcement, they risk being hollow.

5. Social Media & Civic Pressure: The People Are Talking — And Demanding More

Frustration and fear: Users lament the persistent flooding despite billions spent. > “4.2 BILLION spent on flood control projects … every heavy rain, pareho man gihapon — baha diri, baha didto … Where did this money go?” reddit.com
Distrust in political promises: Several threads accuse local officials of building “ghost” projects, over-budgeting, or failing to deliver. reddit.com
Garbage vs. infrastructure debate: Citizens are split: some say that litter causes the floods, others argue that unless flood control projects are completed and maintained, trash is only part of the problem. reddit.com
Calls for transparency: There are growing demands for public reporting on the status of flood control projects, contract completion, and how funds are used.

Impact Insight: Social media is no longer just a venting ground — it’s becoming a watchdog. Civic groups, neighborhood associations, and individual residents are using these platforms to call for real accountability, not just empty promises.

from the post of Ilongo Vlogger

6. What Must Change — Bold, Practical, and People-Driven

Putting together the lessons from Verbena, policy gaps, infrastructure delays, and public sentiment, here are strategic, actionable recommendations:

a.Audit + Transparency

Support the ongoing national probe. But Bacolod must also publish clear, regular reports: which flood-control projects are built, working, or delayed; how much trash is collected; how much silt is removed.
Use a city-wide “Flood Dashboard” (web-based) where citizens can monitor flood infrastructure and performance.

b. Enforce, Don’t Just Declare

Strengthen enforcement of Ordinance 1024 (2023) and anti-littering laws — especially around waterways.
Empower barangays and local communities to report dumping, blocked drains, and encroachments. Provide small incentives (or recognition) for “Waterway Steward” programs.

c. Deliver and Maintain Infrastructure

Resume and sustain funding for floodgates + pumps, especially in the priority rivers (Mandalagan, Lupit, Magsungay).
Institutionalize routine silt removal and drain clearing. Infrastructure isn’t built once — it must be maintained.

d. Community Engagement & Behavior Change

Engage citizens through “Adopt-a-River” or “Creek Steward” programs.
Run a public outreach campaign: “Flood Control Is For All of Us.” Use social media, schools, barangay events to explain how trash, drainage, and policy all intersect.

e. Political Accountability

Demand that elected officials deliver on the ₱500 million floodgate commitment.
Hold public forums (virtual and in barangays) to ask: Where is the money going? What projects are truly functional? What is the city’s plan for long-term maintenance?

7. Conclusion: A Turning Point — If We Make It One

Bacolod stands at a critical crossroad. Verbena was not just a weather disaster — it’s a mirror, reflecting systemic gaps in planning, waste management, and governance. The infrastructure ambitions are there. The legal framework is there. But delivery, enforcement, and accountability remain the weakest links.

The people are watching — on social media, in barangay halls, in daily life. They are demanding more than pledges. They want real solutions that work before the next storm arrives.

If Bacolod’s leaders and citizens seize this moment — to audit, to act, to enforce, and to engage — then future floods can trigger less panic and more resilience. But that will require honesty, political will, and shared responsibility. The question now is: are we ready?

References

Bacolod City Government. (2024). BCD Aims to Combat Flooding with its Pump and Flood Gates System. Bacolod City
Bacolod City Government. (2025). Bacolod Launches Extensive Flood Mitigation Project. Bacolod City
Manila Bulletin. (2025). P300-M budget for 3 floodgates in Bacolod scrapped. Manila Bulletin
Philippine Information Agency. (2025). Bacolod officials back probe into flood control projects. Philippine Information Agency+1
Philippine News Agency. (2024). Bacolod City uses garbage trap to collect coastal waste. Philippine News Agency
SunStar. (2025). Benitez facilitates funds for floodgates project in Bacolod. SunStar Publishing Inc.
Daily Guardian. (2025). Bacolod to Begin Three Floodgate Projects in 2025. Daily Guardian
SunStar. (2025). Benitez eyes P500-M for floodgates, pumping stations for Bacolod. SunStar Publishing Inc.
Republic of the Philippines – Bacolod City Government. (2023). City Ordinance No. 1024: River, Esteros, Canals, Drainage and Water Outlets. Bacolod City
DPWH / National-Local Collaboration. (2023). DPWH to Install Floodgates for Major Rivers in Bacolod. Philippine News Agency
Reddit. (2025). 47 ka Flood Control Projects … may mga “ghost projects”. reddit.com
Reddit. (2025). Flood Control in Bacolod City — Where did the ₱4.2 B go? reddit.com
Reddit. (2025). Garbage vs Poor Drainage — Which is Really Causing Our Floods? reddit.com