• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The clearing of hardened lahar at the Tamburong Creek in Barangay Biak-Na-Bato, La Castellana, where residents recently have experienced flooding again, has been progressing at a snail’s pace.
La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) chief John de Asis reported on September 8 that about 35 truckloads of volcanic sand and gravel had been removed and transferred to a disposal site at the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, for proper disposition, after the clearing operations started last week.
De Asis estimated that less than one percent of about 25,000 cubic meters of sand and other volcanic material has been taken from near the bridge of Tamburong Creek.
“We still have over a kilometer of the creek to clear. Currently, backhoes are only able to clear the area near the bridge,” he added.
Hardened lahar deposits in the rivers of La Castellana have been identified as a major contributor to recent flood events.
De Asis expressed concern that heavy rains could further impede the already slow progress.
Local officials have appealed to government agencies for increased support to expedite the removal of lahar and protect vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding.
De Asis is hoping and praying that there should be no heavy rains in La Castellana, as it may impede their clearing operations further.*
