• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An estimated 60,000 cubic meters of volcanic materials has clogged the Tamburong Creek in Brgy. Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, causing damage to several houses, will be removed by ongoing clearing operations, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Superintendent Philip Lechoncito disclosed on Wednesday.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz reported yesterday that the Negros Occidental provincial government has allocated P1 million for the fuel of the heavy equipment and dump trucks being used to clear the affected waterways.
Diaz said the delay in the clearing of waterways was due to debates on how the volcanic materials are to be disposed of, noting that it is prohibited to bring such materials outside the MKNP protected zone.
To avoid speculations that it will be used for commercial purposes, Diaz said the dredged materials will be placed under the custody of MKNP.
Lechoncito said a one-hectare open area at the MKNP compound can accommodate the volcanic materials.
The clearing operations that started on Wednesday are aimed at making the Tamburong Creek 30 feet deep, with a width of six meters .
Heavy equipment from the La Castellana municipal government and the Department of Public Works and Highways have already cleared the roads in the area of the volcanic debris which overflowed into the highway on Sunday.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that the floods on Sunday damaged seven houses in Brgy. Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana, also forcing about 76 families to evacuate.*
