By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE YEAR 2024 ended with a grim reminder: Beware of nature’s wrath!
The second eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island on December 3 and its ongoing restiveness are two indicative reminders for Negrenses to prepare for the worst scenario – lava flow that may affect more than100,000 people both in the Occidental and Oriental sides of the island.
This is no joke, stressed Raul Fernandez, chief of Task Force Kanlaon. I believe in him.
Canlaon City in Negros Oriental is ready to execute a so-called “forced exodus” of more than 60,000 residents located within the volcano’s 14-kilometer danger zone just in case.
I talked to Canlaon City’s Mayor Batchuck Cardenas and he said they’re preparing for the worst.
In La Castellana, Negros Occidental Mayor Mhai-Mhai Nicor-Mangilimutan is asking for more help, especially rice and drinking water for their over 6,700 weary evacuees stuck in evacuation centers for some 25 days now.
FLOODING
Kanlaon Volcano’s northern part in Negros Occidental was further hit twice by “surprise flooding” on December 22 and 27, 2024. The affected localities included Victorias City, Silay City, Talisay City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla and EB Magalona.
Flooding on December 22 terrified Cadizeños. Residents of Yolanda Village in Barangay Burgos, Cadiz were rescued from their rooftops. Luckily, there were no casualties.
On December 27, another flooding shocked northern Negros. Victorias and Silay were the worst-hit localities.
The Boy Scout Jamboree in Barangay E. Lopez, Silay on December 25-30, 2024 was affected, forcing the local government to evacuate more than 3,000 participants to safer grounds. Again, thanks to God, there was no casualty.
Negros Occidental Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya was shocked by the sudden twin flooding in northern Negros Occidental. All the watersheds there – the Malogo Watershed Victorias-EB Magalona, Sicaba Watershed in Cadiz, and Himoga-an Watershed in Sagay – remained thick with vegetation. So for Gerangaya, the flooding seemed “next to impossible”.
But for Negros’ environmental warriors, “high-class squatters” or high-end resorts and houses at the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) are the ones causing the flooding.
“Raping” the NNP through unstoppable development is causing “natural blunders”, stressed the Group of Environmental Socialists (GOES).
During the onslaught of super typhoon “Carina” (July 22-24, 2024), the CHICKS (Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni Kabankalan, Sipalay) area in southern Negros Occidental was also flooded. The reason cited was the denuded Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed in Candoni , Negros Occidental – Mabinay, Negros Oriental area.
EL NIÑO PHENOMENON
Negros Occidental was also slapped by the El Niño phenomenon for almost five months (January to April) last year.
This severe weather condition characterized by high temperatures and scant rainfall damaged almost P200-million agri crops. Thousands of farmers, especially in the southern part of the province, languished during the unusual dry season.
ONE GREAT LESSON
All these natural calamities that ravaged the province indicate that nature is fighting back.
I remember the famous song “Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran” by folk rock band Asin. There’s this line: “Hindi masama ang pag-unlad kung hindi nakakasira ng kalikasan.”
Quite simple to understand.
And come to think what American author and essayist Edward Abbey had said before: “Industrial corporation is the natural enemy of nature.”
Deep hit, but true. The price of massive development are environmental risks. It’s a fact we need to embrace.
Question: Are we ready for the worst retort of nature?
I think it’s not too late for us to step out and restore our environment for us and for the next Generation Beta or “GenBeta”.
Show care and love for nature./PN
