DPWH Assures Diversion Channel in Bacolod Operational by Early February

January 31, 2026

Mayor Greg Gasataya, DPWH–NIR Officer-in-Charge Engr. Jose Al Fruto, and DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima discuss plans under Oplan Kontra Baha, strengthening measures for the massive desilting and declogging of waterways and drainage systems to mitigate flooding in the city.*

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has confirmed that the diversion channel project designed to reduce flooding in Bacolod’s reclamation area will be operational by the first week of February.

DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima gave the assurance during an alignment meeting with Mayor Greg Gasataya at the Bacolod City Government Center on January 30, 2026.

Calima directed the project contractor, Almana Construction and Development Corporation (ACDC), to ensure that no further delays would hamper the project’s completion.

Joining the meeting were DPWH–Negros Island Region Officer-in-Charge Jose Al Fruto, regional division heads, DPWH-Bacolod Officer-in-charge Leah Jamero, City Engineer’s Office Officer-in-Charge Loben Ceballos, and representatives from the contractor.

Launched in 2023, the diversion channel project has an allocated budget of ₱152 million.

In related updates, Calima reported that the DPWH’s large-scale waterway clean-up operations will run through June 2026. As of January 2026, over 25,762 cubic meters of silt have been cleared from waterways including Mambuloc Creek, Mandalagan River, Banago Creek, and Lupit River under the agency’s Oplan Kontra Baha.

Separately, more than 2,643 cubic meters of waste have been removed from national and local drainage systems citywide as part of declogging efforts.* (Bacolod City Communications Office text & photos)