BACOLOD CITY – about 28,000 cubic meters of volcanic debris from the series of eruptions of Mt. Kanlaon in the past year are being extracted from the waterways near the foot of the volcano in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Following the overflow of lahar-silted creeks that caused flooding in Barangay Biak na Bato on Aug. 31, the provincial government dispatched backhoes and dump trucks for the clearing operation, particularly in the Tamburong Creek.
“We identified the areas together with the Provincial Engineer’s Office and the Municipal Engineer’s Office. The clearing started on Tuesday,” Philip Lechoncito, park operation superintendent of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), told the press at the provincial capitol here on Wednesday, September 3.
He said the volcanic materials will be extracted and then stockpiled within the MKNP protected area.
Lechoncito said they have forwarded a report to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, which they will submit together with PAMB Resolution 17, requesting a dredging clearance from DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the provincial government is allocating PHP1 million for the fuel requirements of the heavy equipment being used in the clearing operation.
“It will continue until the creek will reach a depth of 30 feet and a width of about six meters. That’s our target,” he added. (with Nanette Guadalquiver, pna)
