Bulacao's landform has changed due to structural reasons
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Barangay Bulacao in Talisay City was hit by heavy flooding, causing traffic congestion during the morning rush hour. The flooding was primarily due to a heavy downpour early that morning and the barangay's basin-like terrain, which resembles a swamp.
The low elevation of Barangay Bulacao, surrounded by hills and residential areas, makes it a natural catchment area for rainwater. This resulted in water accumulating rapidly from about 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., causing the flooding that blocked major roads.
The flooding was worsened by a road maintenance project being carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR). Two lanes in front of the international port along the CSCR were closed for this project, but the local traffic authority was not officially informed. The lane closures restricted traffic flow and exacerbated the traffic jam and flooding impact.
The heavy rainfall has also accumulated in neighbouring cities such as Toledo City, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Argao. However, John Agbay, a weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas, confirmed that there were no rain gauges or rainfall recorded in Talisay City.
Mayor Gerard Anthony "Samsam" Gullas has appealed for patience from the public and motorists in the face of the severe traffic congestion. He has also asked the DPWH to explain their work on the CSCR. Jonathan Tumulak, from the Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-Toda), has expressed concern about the traffic problem that occurred on Monday, August 18, 2025. Tumulak attributed the traffic problem to the lack of coordination between the project of the DPWH and their own efforts.
The traffic jam was caused by the closure of two lanes on the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) due to the international port being congested, despite no work being done by the DPWH on Sunday night. Many students and workers were affected by the traffic congestion, with traffic remaining congested for three hours. The road in Barangay Bulacao is currently underwater due to the heavy rain. The flooding is exacerbated by the accumulation of water, likely due to the drains being blocked.
The situation has prompted calls for better coordination between government agencies and local traffic authorities to avoid such incidents in the future.
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