Monsoon Flooding Displaces Nearly 2,500 Families in Bacolod and Talisay, Philippines

Heavy monsoon rains since Friday night have caused severe flooding in Bacolod and Talisay, two cities in the Philippines’ Negros Occidental province, forcing nearly 2,500 families to evacuate their homes.

Local officials report that about 441 families in Bacolod City and 2,130 families in nearby Talisay City have been displaced. Floodwaters reached as high as four feet in several neighborhoods in Bacolod, affecting multiple communities.

The city government of Bacolod, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has been providing emergency relief. Evacuation centers have received food supplies, blankets, mosquito nets, diapers, and hygiene kits to support affected families.

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the flooding is worsened by rapid urban growth and inadequate drainage infrastructure, highlighting the need for better long-term planning to protect residents from future storms.

In Talisay City, Mayor Rowena Lizares deployed mobile kitchens to evacuation sites to ensure displaced families receive hot meals. The city’s health office is also working to prevent diseases like leptospirosis, which can spread through floodwaters, by providing medical check-ups and medication.

Authorities are urging residents, especially those in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to stay alert as heavy rains continue.