POP singer Gary Valenciano got it right. Hindi na natuto. We never learned. Bacolod still experiences floods.
I saw them with my eyes along Gatuslao St. Plastic garbage littering the drainage.
Although I acknowledge that the drainage infrastructure projects did a job. Traditional flood-prone areas drained floodwaters.
Civil engineering did a good job. Solid waste management did not.
Clogged drainage systems due to garbage caused flooding along Lacson Street and other part of Bacolod City during a heavy downpour last week, noted Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya.
The Department of Public Works and Highways inspected the drainage system along Lacson Street and discovered that the manhole was full of garbage, particularly plastic wastes. Really? Not really a surprise.
Because of the garbage, flood waters cannot flow down the drain. But when the garbage was removed, the water on the streets started to flow down the drainage system.
Gasataya requested the DPWH to continue its declogging operations of the drainage systems to prevent flooding. Frankly, he pegged the problem wrong. Blame not the floods on bad engineering, but the bad attitude of Bacoleños.
Just go around downtown, the public markets. You see adult men and women throw their plastic wastes in the streets while law enforcers look the other way. Are they even aware of City Ordinance No. 596, Series of 2012?
Thank God the monsoon season has started. Is Bacolod mayor-elect Evelio Leonardia up to the task of educating Bacoleños? He has failed to do so in his previous. Kailan kaya siya matututo?
bqsanc@yahoomail.com