DPWH TO DREDGE RIVERS DOWN SLOPES OF BULUSAN VOLCANO
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol Regional Director Danilo E. Dequito has directed today Sorsogon 2nd Engineering District Office chief Engr. Edgar Curativo to prepare the program of work for the desilting of two rivers down the slopes of Bulusan Volcano in Bulusan town which has become shallow due to lahar flows washed down by continuous rains in the area.

It may be recalled that Bulusan Volcano started spewing dark ash clouds as high as two kilometers from its crater during a series of phreatic eruptions starting November 6, 2010 that caused the accumulation of a large volume of lahar along its slopes reaching some 450,000 metric tons todate estimated by Phivolcs resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta .

Laguerta said that continuous heavy rains might trigger heavy lahar flows down slope along the already heavily silted Cadac-an and Rangas rivers.

Dequito said that Phivolcs officials have also recommended the dredging of the two rivers and their tributaries to prevent over flowing when continuous heavy rains hit the area.

The DPWH regional director was briefed by Curativo during his site visit today in Irosin, Juban and Casuguran to make a first hand inspection of the affected areas.

He was also briefed about the alternate route that can be taken by motorists in case Bulusan has a full-blown eruption that may result closure of the main highway.

Dequito said that heavy equipment like bulldozer, back hoe and dump trucks are now in placed in areas were they are most needed in case the volcano situation worsens.

Dequito said that he directed the district office to rush the completion of the plans for the dredging so that he will be able to forward it to the central office for immediate funding. (PIA V/mal)