BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The municipality of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity due to recent massive floods that hit the province’s northern portion.
Mayor Marvin Malacon said such was recommended by the Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Council and adopted by the Sangguniang Bayan.
E.B. Magalona joined the cities of Silay, Talisay and Victorias in the list of areas placed under a state of calamity due to floods. These cities so far incurred P50 million worth of damage to crops and fisheries.
According to Malacon, 13 of E.B. Magalona’s 23 barangays were hit by the flashfloods on Jan. 9, affecting 3,339 families, composed of 16,690 families and damage to crops, fisheries and infrastructure projects of P9 million.
E.B. Magalona, Silay, Talisay and Victorias were hit twice by flashfloods since New Year’s Day.
Malacon attributed the floods to the heavy siltation of Malogo, Imbang and Tabigue rivers and other waterways.
Declogging is expected this month by a private firm, said Malcon.
The mayor also noted that waterways in the town are even much lower in residential areas and the original drainage systems in rural areas were planted with sugarcanes.
Malacon said he will ask the Sangguniang Bayan for the passage of an ordinance that would restore the original drainage system.
He will also request the Department of Public Works and Highways to repair the drainage system along the highway.
As to claims that quarrying may have triggered the flashfloods, Malacon said sand and gravel quarry had long been there with the volume of water from the mountain passing through rivers overflowed, because of the shallow waterways and siltation./PN
