By CESAR JOLITO III
Environmental coalitions across Negros Island are calling for an urgent, transparent investigation into the deadly Kanlaon Volcano landslide and flashfloods that devastated multiple lowland communities, stressing that possible environmental violations may have intensified the scale of the disaster.
In a joint open letter addressed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Negros Occidental provincial government, green advocates, mountaineering groups and residents warned that unchecked degradation around Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is placing thousands of lives at risk.
The groups raised concern over allegations of illegal logging, unregulated quarrying and the questionable approval of permits within the protected area — activities they believe may have contributed to the collapse of soil, volcanic debris and forest cover during days of heavy rainfall.
“Recent events have exposed the grave vulnerabilities of our communities to natural calamities. We call on authorities to investigate the root causes of this tragedy, including potential environmental violations, and take decisive action to safeguard our people and natural resources,” the coalition said.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, damages from the calamity are nearing P2 billion, with around 70 fatalities recorded as mudflows and lahar-like torrents swept through river systems, damaging farms, bridges, homes, and public infrastructure.
Many families remain displaced as affected areas struggle to recover.
Investigators and residents noted that the combination of loosened volcanic sediments, uprooted trees and boulders formed a destructive surge that overwhelmed natural waterways and drainage routes — conditions worsened, advocates say, by years of environmental mismanagement.
The coalition urged government agencies to strictly enforce existing environmental laws inside the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, emphasizing that the restoration of forest cover is crucial to stabilizing slopes and preventing further erosion.
They also called for a comprehensive review of structural safeguards, including river controls, drainage systems and flood-mitigation projects, which they say must be upgraded to cope with increasingly severe weather events linked to climate change.
Improved early warning systems, clearer evacuation protocols for high-risk communities, and greater investment in disaster preparedness were also among the group’s recommendations.
“The resilience of our communities — whether in Bago City, La Castellana, La Carlota City, or Canlaon City — depends on proactive governance and sustainable environmental practices,” the groups said.
“We must prioritize environmental protection, enforce regulations and implement science-based solutions to prevent future tragedies,” they added./CJ, WDJ