The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environment is set to hold a hearing with representatives of the Provincial Environment and Management Office tomorrow morning, January 13, to delve into the causes of the recent floods that hit northern Negros Occidental, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said today, January 12.
The meeting was sought by Board Member Andrew Montelibano, SP environment committee chairman, who delivered a privilege speech on the flooding at the Sanggunian regular session at the Capitol in Bacolod City this afternoon.
Ferrer said representatives of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division will also be invited to the meeting.
The committee wants to determine the causes of the flood so the problem can be addressed, Ferrer said.
Montelibano said more than 100,000 Negrenses have already been affected by the recent floods.
There is a need to look into how quarry operations have contributed to the flooding, among other matters, he said.
He also noted that the floods have been caused by water cascading down from mountainous areas.
“If it happens once, it can happen again,” Montelibano said, stressing the need to take action.
Montelibano also plans to hold another hearing with representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.*