BACOLOD CITY—Commuters, transport operators, village leaders, and business groups criticized the city government for worsening floods despite billions spent on flood control.
“It’s becoming a ‘Waterworld, Bacolod version,’” said Fr. Greg Patino of the One Negros Ecumenical Council.
More than two hours of continuous rain on Tuesday left much of the city submerged in knee-deep waters — including upscale subdivisions and business districts — with some areas waist-deep.
Ting Navarro, a transport driver covering downtown to Bata, said flooding is worse now than five or six years ago. “It’s disgusting that despite so many flood control projects, the problem has only gotten worse,” he said.
Chong Tan, a businessman and member of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber, said floods have severely affected businesses, “doubling efforts and expenses while cutting returns.”
Christian Weber of Amlig Tubig Citizens Water Watch and the Council of Concerned Citizens said that despite over ₱4 billion in flood control funding from 2017 to 2025, the city “is drowning even without typhoons.”
Weber dismissed city hall’s claim that garbage clogging drains caused the problem. “That’s absurd. The city has millions annually for waste management,” he said.
He added that the issue stems from “systemic corruption causing economic losses, depriving poor citizens of services, and degrading governance.” His group plans to file cases against those responsible.
