Posted on October 27, 2025
BACOLOD CITY – The city government has started clearing a major waterway here using an amphibious dredger borrowed from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the massive clearing and desilting of the Mandalagan River is ongoing to restore and rehabilitate the waterway to its full capacity.
“When the river is restored, it will have an immediate impact in reducing risks of water build-up in a large portion of Bacolod City, especially in the north,” he said.
Located in the northern part of the city, the Mandalagan River serves as the main catchment for eight tributary creeks across Barangays 1, Mandalagan, Estefania, Bata, Villamonte, and Montevista.
The dredging work is expected to clear the river of 20,000 cubic meters of silt, which could last for weeks.
“We requested for the use of the amphibious dredger from the national government. This way, the city no longer has to wait and spend a large amount to rent an equipment. This is the first step to our goal to restore and rehabilitate all the waterways in the city,” the mayor said.
The earlier desilting of Banago River removed about 1,330 tons of silt and the clearing of creeks yielded 67 tons of garbage and waste.
On the night of Oct. 9, several areas in Barangay Mandalagan, particularly along Lacson Street near a major shopping mall, were flooded reaching waist level.
Hours of daytime downpour on Oct. 14 caused flooding in 11 barangays and led to the evacuation of more than a hundred residents in two barangays.
