Tons of garbage, debris, tree branches, and mud were removed from creeks, drainage channels, and roads in Bacolod City in the continuous post-Verbena clearing operation.

The clearing operation focused tightly on creeks in Barangay Bata and Barangay Jalandoni where tons of garbage clogged up the waterways, and contributed in the flooding on November 25, 2025, as Tropical Depression Verbena (international name: Koto) crossed the Visayas. 

Several illegal structures are set for removal, including a wall constructed in Barangay 20.

“May order to remove the structure. May construction. Si OBO (Office of the Building Official) in-inspect niya, nakita doon from the creek, may complaints. Hindi pwedeng lagyan ng structure sa gitna. Kapag may nag-obstruct sa creek, tataas talaga ang tubig,” Engr. Loben Rafael Ceballos, head of the Bacolod City Engineers Office.

At Mambuloc Creek, over 20 illegal structures, mostly shanties are also set for demolition.

“May mga construction talaga sa creeks na ginagawa nilang fencing. Ginagawan ng riprap. Binigyan natin ng notification. Ang houses naman na kino-construct sa waterways, pinapa-remove talaga. It’s one of the major causes ng obstruction,” Ceballos added.

Residents were already advised of the demolition. A few residents demanded relocation.

“Kung i-relocate, wala tayong magawa. Syempre hindi natin lupa ito. Kahit saang batas, automatic may relocation na ibibigay sa ‘yo ang lungsod,” said Salcedo Lobaton, a resident.

Rejem Degoma, a resident, demanded financial assistance aside from relocation.

“Parang hindi kami papayag. Kung gusto nilang kunin kami dito, bigyan kami ng relocation at financial (assistance),” Degoma said.

According to the Local Government Unit of Bacolod City, relocation for residents affected by the demolition is available but only for those qualified.