A heavy downpour on Sunday night, June 28, sent mud, rocks, and wood debris onto the national highway in Purok Masinadyahon, Barangay Galicia, Ilog, Negros Occidental, after a nearby brook overflowed, prompting residents to renew their call for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address what they described as an “undersized” culvert pipe.
Residents told Brigada News FM on Monday, June 29, that flooding has become a recurring problem since the DPWH completed a road-widening project in the area.
They claimed the opening of the culvert pipe is too small to accommodate the volume of water flowing from the brook during heavy rains.
They said the rushing water also carries wood debris, rocks, and other materials from the mountains, further restricting the flow through the culvert. This causes water to back up and overflow onto the highway, leaving thick mud and debris that pose risks to passing motorists.
According to the residents, the recurring flooding has already led to several motorcycle accidents, particularly during heavy rain when the road becomes slippery.
The residents said they have repeatedly raised the issue during inspections and site visits by government personnel, but claimed that no concrete solution has been implemented to address the problem.
As of posting time, the affected stretch of the national highway had already been cleared of mud, rocks, and wood debris, allowing traffic to return to normal.
However, residents expressed concern that the same situation could recur during future heavy downpours unless permanent improvements are made to the drainage system.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.