• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government is expediting the clearing of roads from volcanic materials and dredging of river channels with hardened lahar deposits in La Castellana town.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said yesterday that heavy equipment, composed of two backhoes and two dump trucks, have been deployed in La Castellana for the removal and hauling of scraped and dredged volcanic materials emanating from Kanlaon Volcano.
The recent flooding in Barangay Biak na Bato was caused by the overflowing of Tamburong Creek, which has been clogged with hardened lahar deposits.
Diaz said the recovered volcanic materials will be delivered to the nursery and compound of the Protected Area Management Board-Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park office in Barangay Cabagnaan for custodial purposes as hauling of dredged materials outside of the protected area is being prohibited.
La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said the 59 affected families in Barangay Biak na Bato are still staying in the evacuation center, but they are allowed to go home during day time to check their houses. | GB
