Clearing of volcanic debris beneath a bridge at Ibid Creek in Sitio Tamburong, Brgy. Biak na Bato, La Castellana in Negros Occidental resumed on Friday, Sept. 12, after heavy rain washed down more waste earlier spewed by Mt. Kanlaon.
Remuel Lajo, commander of the La Castellana Incident Management Team, said muddy stream flow on Thursday washed more volcanic debris into the area, which had just been cleared of hardened ash earlier this week.
“It is a good thing it had been cleared as no overflow from the creek occurred,” Lajo said, adding that they had to start clearing work all over again on Friday.
Lajo noted that more rain could still wash down debris, and they need additional help to speed up the clearing operations.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has heavy equipment on-site, but they are hoping to also get help from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Lajo said.
The target is to clear about 28,000 cubic meters of material from the creek to prevent flooding.
Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said 1,172 cubic meters of volcanic debris had been cleared from the creek as of Friday.*