• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government is considering seeking the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways to speed up the clearing of volcanic debris at the Tamburong Creek in Brgy. Biak-Na-Bato, in the municipality of La Castellana.
Maybe, we can consider that, said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, as he admitted that it may take time to remove the debris, due to lack of equipment for the clearing operations, along with expected weather disruptions.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that out of an estimated 28,000 cubic meters of accumulated volcanic sediment, only 976 cubic meters has been extracted from the creek, as of September 10.
Two events of ash emission were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Sept. 8 and 10. However, no volcanic quakes were monitored.
“I am hoping and praying that it will continue to simmer down,” Lacson said.
Because of rains, grayish water from the upper portion of Kanlaon Volcano has flowed again in the Tamburong Creek, where clearing operations are ongoing.
Regarding the additional heavy equipment that could be deployed by the provincial government to La Castellana, Lacson said “we can’t just focus on one area. Other areas are also requesting.”
We are doing our utmost best to clear the (lahar) area, the governor said.
Remuel Lajo, La Castellana Incident Management Team head, said he expects debris from upstream to refill the cleared areas, should there be heavy rains.*
