• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park will allow the dredging of volcanic debris from waterways, but not the hauling of material outside of the Kanlaon protected area, Engr. Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, assistant regional director for Technical Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Negros Island Region, disclosed on Tuesday.
Residents in low-lying areas of La Castellana and La Castellana, Negros Occidental, have expressed fears of being hit by flooding, as the creeks and rivers near their homes have become shallow due to hardened lahar from Kanlaon Volcano.
Based on the provisions of Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act, Gerangaya clarified that the quarrying of materials inside the MKNP protected area it prohibits, which was the stand adopted by the PAMB.
The La Castellana municipal government suspended classes at levels in the town on August 26, due to forecasted heavy rains brought by the Low Pressure Area and Southwest Monsoon. The overflow of water on Monday at the Tamburong Creek in Brgy. Biak na Bato, La Castellana, which has been filled with hardened lahar, was also noted.
Gerangaya disclosed that PAMB already gave the go signal for the dredging of rivers and waters of hardened volcanic debris, which will be hauled into the riverbanks, or for use by the people inside the protected area.
The hauling of hardened lahar outside of the protected area needs clearance from the DENR secretary, Gerangaya further said.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental earlier expressed willingness to use its heavy equipment to dredge the clogged rivers and creeks, to allow the better flow of water.*
