By BETH JOY DESAMPARADO, STI-WNU Intern

The Negros Occidental provincial government will deploy heavy equipment to remove volcanic materials that clogged Ibid Creek in La Castellana’s Barangay Biak na Bato following the ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption on July 9.

La Castellana Vice Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II informed her that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has already approved the immediate deployment of equipment to the town.

Heavy rains and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat brought by Typhoon “Inday” washed away and triggered hazardous mudflows from recent volcanic ashfall.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has allowed the scraping of sand, but it cannot be taken out of the Mount Kanlaon Natural Park.

The debris will instead be stockpiled inside the site.

Mangilimutan said residents raised concerns about flooding along the clogged creek.

She added that some residents living near the creek have been advised to relocate./BJD, WDJ