The La Castellana Incident Management Team (IMT) is calling for the immediate dredging of Bagacay Creek and Tamburong Creek in Brgy Biak na Bato to prevent flooding.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said both creeks, which were once about six meters deep, are now almost dry and filled with hardened lahar.
This situation puts nearby residents at a high risk of flooding, especially during the rainy season, it said.
The DENR Negros Island Region (NIR) Officer-in-Charge, Charlie Fabre, has already requested a resolution from the DENR Secretary to allow dredging without the need to haul away the dredged materials.
Permission is needed because the creeks are part of the protected area of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
Biak na Bato village chief Joselito Martinez Jr. said the blocked Tamburong Creek could cause widespread damage, with potential flooding reaching as far as the neighboring village of Cabacungan.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will refer the matter to the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) to determine how to expedite the dredging.
“I hope the DENR will be more lenient because this is not a natural occurrence,” Lacson said.*