When heavy rains brought sudden flooding to parts of Bacolod City on October 14, one of the areas affected was the Balay Kalinungan complex. Amid the downpour, University plumber Vincent Duco demonstrated quick and courageous action that helped ease the situation.
The two-hour rain caused water to rise rapidly as the city drainage outside the Santuario de La Salle overflowed. As the water began to rise and enter the complex, Vincent immediately waded into the flood outside the campus. He swam under the floodwaters to reach the blocked drainage and cleared the debris that was preventing the flow of water. This allowed the floodwater to drain out of the campus. Within about 20 minutes, the water began to subside. His quick response helped minimize the impact on the complex and nearby facilities.
When asked what moved him to act, Vincent simply shared that he “needed to make sure the students and the University were safe.”
For the past ten years, Vincent has served as the University’s only in-house plumber. He is known not only for his technical expertise but also for his commitment to service. He often responds to emergency concerns even beyond regular working hours. This was noted by Engineer Jerry Uy, Director of the Campus Development Office.
Engr. Uy commended the presence of mind and teamwork shown during the incident. He added that the University continues to strengthen its preventive maintenance and emergency response systems. “Our Engineering and General Services team is always on standby to assist. The majority of our staff are trained to handle emergency situations,” he said.
After the incident, the University coordinated with the City Government of Bacolod to look into long-term drainage and flood management solutions in the area surrounding the campus. The University remains committed to maintaining a safe learning environment and continues to work closely with the city to prevent similar incidents.
Vincent’s selfless act embodies the Lasallian values of service, solidarity, and community spirit. In times of crisis, true leadership often comes from those who step forward quietly, driven not by recognition, but by genuine care for others.