• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has recommended the relocation of at least nine houses located along a creek in La Castellana, Negros Occidental because of volcanic sediments flood risk.
The Ibid Creek is located in Sitio Tamburong, Barangay Biak na Bato.
OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said on Monday, Sept. 29, that volcanic deposits blocked some areas, forcing the water to shift to other directions, including those in household areas.
Sermeno said the affected families have signified their intention to be relocated as they always had to seek safer grounds when heavy rains occur.
A house in the vicinity of the creek filled with lahar debris was already abandoned by its owners, he added.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental and the municipality of La Castellana are taking advantage of the good weather to clear the Ibid Creek of about 25,000 cubic meters of volcanic sediments.
Heavy rains hampered the clearing operation as the removed materials are being washed back into the creek.
The Protected Area Management Board of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park has already requested Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla to authorize Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to issue a special permit for the clearing of lahar sediments at Ibid Creek. | GB
