Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Requests Dredging Permission
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is urgently requesting Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla to grant permission for dredging rivers and creeks within the volcano’s 4-kilometer danger zone. This area is a protected zone, making the request both critical and sensitive.
Local officials emphasized that clearing these waterways is vital to prevent flooding in nearby low-lying communities. The exact 4-kilometer danger zone around Mt. Kanlaon has seen riverbeds rise due to hardened lahar deposits, increasing flood risks during heavy rains.
Hardened Lahar Blocks Waterways in Negros Occidental
Rivers and creeks in La Castellana and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental have become clogged with solidified lahar—a cement-like volcanic ash mixture expelled by Mt. Kanlaon. This accumulation has raised riverbeds to dangerous levels, officials reported, threatening nearby villages especially during intense rainfall.
Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the Negros Island Region, stressed the urgency of dredging these waterways to mitigate potential flooding hazards.
Legal Challenges and Requests for Exceptions
Dredging within the protected area is legally classified as quarrying, which is currently prohibited. Because of this, the PAMB passed a resolution requesting an exception from the DENR Secretary to allow dredging within the 4-kilometer danger zone.
Additionally, the board has asked the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to conduct an assessment of the lahar volume that needs removal. This step will help determine the scope of work required to restore proper water flow and reduce flood risks.
Protecting Communities from Flood Risks
Community members expressed concern over the increased flood threats caused by the solidified lahar deposits. They stressed the importance of timely intervention to safeguard lives and properties in the affected areas.
Local leaders noted that environmental protection must be balanced with public safety, underscoring the need for the DENR Secretary’s approval to proceed with dredging operations within the protected zone.
For more news and updates on Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, visit Filipinokami.com.
