The Sibulan municipal government is bracing for the rainy days by repairing its infrastructure facilities ravaged by the Tropical Storm Sendong.
Sibulan, one of the worst-hit towns in Negros Oriental by the December 17 storm, is spending P2 million to bolster the periphery of the Okoy Riverbank.
The Okoy River is the town’s catch basin of creeks from the hinterland village of Enrique Villanueva and other areas, like the Marulay River Watershed in Valencia town; Dungcalang River in Brgy. Tubigon of Sibulan; and the Southern Negros Watershed comprising Sibulan, Valencia, and Sta. Catalina.
“When the heavy rains come, the water volume in Okoy River swells and causes the river water to spill over its sides,” said Sibulan Information Officer Concepcion Rosales.
Sendong totally damaged 268 houses and brought partial damage to 349 more, said Rosales.
Romie Diputado, head of Sibulan’s Forest Land Use Plan, said the Southern Negros watershed is a vast body of water covering the watersheds of Hinotongan River, Valencia, and Amlan River.
“All the water from these watersheds run off to Okoy River,” said Diputado.
“The river lived up to its name because Okoy literally means ‘stalker’. It caught the nearby residents by surprise because without warning, the river rose and turned rapid and turbulent,” Rosales said.
The provincial government of Negros Oriental also sets aside P20 million while 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz gave P2 million to fortify the sides of Okoy River with the installation of boulder dikes. (PIA Negros Oriental)
