• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More families in Barangay Biak-na-Bato, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, are expected to be relocated as local officials move to clear houses located within the 10-meter easement along creeks and waterways.
Village chief Joselito Martinez Jr. said on Monday, Aug. 10 said the planned relocation, as discussed by Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, is in line with the enforcement of the 10-meter easement along the river and creeks.
This requires houses within the danger zone to be cleared and their occupants transferred to safer and permanent relocation sites.
The move is expected to increase the number of families to be relocated in the barangay.
At present, 48 families affected by Typhoon Tino, whose houses were washed away, have already been provided relocation sites in Biak-na-Bato proper, he added.
The affected families have received assistance from the Philippine Red Cross, municipal government, Office of 5th District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, and civic groups through construction materials and other forms of support.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental provincial government also deployed heavy equipment with fuel subsidies to remove debris and volcanic materials from Ibid and Tamburong Creeks.
Martinez said the two creeks were surveyed by the Department of Public Works and Highways as part of the efforts to address flooding and improve the waterways.
He added that the Tamburong Creek has a P30-million budget for riprapping works, although no bridge construction is included in the current allocation.
However, the Ibid Creek has no funding yet for similar infrastructure work. | GPB
