EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon led a public consultation earlier this week regarding a desilting project for nine coastal barangays as a means to reduce flooding. Through desilting, materials that may obstruct the flow of water are extracted from the riverbed, which is expected to reduce the risk of flooding.
The meeting, which was attended by local officials, along with representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and TeraDev Corporation, the private contractor in charge of the project, identified the areas in question as Barangays Latasan, Tuburan, Tomongtong, Gahit, Madalag, Mantaangan, Batya, Alicante, and Pasil.
Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who co-chairs the Provincial Board Committee on the Environment, said silting has affected residents in the areas, particularly those with fishponds.
“Water levels in those areas have risen in recent years,” he explained.
The project will be a joint undertaking by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, DENR, and Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“EB Magalona is privileged to be the town where this project will be pioneered in Negros,” the provincial official said.
He added, “The waste from the siltation will be sold to countries needing land for reclamation.”/DGB, WDJ