RESIDENTS of Barangay 19A South Bacayan, Victorias City are troubled by the bulk of garbage brought about by the flash floods that hit the area on New Year's Day.
Punong Barangay Lucia Duran said although the city government of Victorias has been sending two dump trucks, it still needs more dump trucks to unload mountains of garbage that were carried by floodwater.
"We are worried about the health of our residents if this garbage stays in our area," Duran said.
She said they have been thankful for the help of some neighboring local government units like Silay City for sending additional dump trucks, but they need more to get rid of the garbage.
Duran also said they are thankful for the assistance extended to affected residents.
On Thursday, January 8, 2020, food aid from Senator Francis Pangilinan were distributed to affected residents. Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez has also extended assistance, Duran said.
She said the flash floods on January 1 were very unexpected that the depth of the water reached up to the rooftop of some houses.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will investigate the cause of the floods in northern Negros, particularly in the 3rd district, last January 1.
Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, PDMPD head, said among the angles they are currently looking into are quarrying in the rivers.
However, since they do not have any technical knowledge, Caelian said they will coordinate with the DENR and will ask them about the situation and the suspected contributions that led to the flooding.
Aside from quarrying, the PDMPD also suspects that garbage may have clogged some of the creeks in the area.
The PDMPD and the DENR assessed the situation of the rivers and tributaries in the area Thursday.
Aside from Victorias City, flash floods also hit the cities of Silay and Talisay, and E.B. Magalona town that caused at least one fatality.
The capitol reported more than P1.7-million damages and the flash floods affected more than 3000 farmers in the Third District.