29/11/2025
Open Letter Regarding Landslide and Flashflood Risks from Mt. Kanlaon
November 29,2025
To the Concerned Authorities of Department of Environment and Natural Resources NIR,Negros Occidental Provincial Government and all LGU surrounding Mt Kanlaon
Subject: Urgent Action Required on Assessment and Mitigating Landslide and Flashflood Risks in Communities Surrounding Mount Kanlaon
We, the concerned residents of LaCastellana and neighboring town and cities, are writing this open letter to urge immediate and decisive action regarding the recurring and devastating flash floods and landslides originating from Mount Kanlaon.
Recent events have demonstrated the severe vulnerability of our communities. The accumulation of volcanic sediments on the slopes, uprooted trees ,stones combined with heavy rainfall, creates dangerous mudflows that sweep down rivers, destroying property, farmland, and posing an extreme risk to human life.
We call upon your office to address the following critical issues:
• Comprehensive Investigation: Conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the root causes of the severity of these events, including the potential roles of illegal logging, quarrying operations, and any issuance of permits within the protected area or danger zones.
• Environmental Protection and Reforestation: Enforce strict environmental regulations within the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP). The preservation and restoration of vegetation on the hillsides are essential to bind the soil and act as a natural barrier against erosion. Also enforce strict regulations regarding quarry.
• Infrastructure and Mitigation: Assess and improve existing infrastructure, particularly drainage channels and river systems, to ensure they can manage high-volume flows of water and debris.
• Public Warning Systems and Evacuation Plans: Strengthen and regularly test the early warning systems and clear, actionable evacuation plans for residents in high-risk, low-lying areas and mountain slopes.
• Transparency and Accountability: Provide regular updates to the community on risk assessments, mitigation efforts, and the allocation of resources for disaster response and recovery.
The risk in our area is often a combination of intense rain, our local topography (specifically our hills and slopes), These factors significantly increase the chance of disaster, which is why immediate and decisive action is imperative.
We urge both our local authorities and every member of our community to take proactive measures.
The safety and well-being of the people of Bago City, La Castellana, Canlaon City, La Carlota City depend on proactive governance and sustainable environmental management. We hope for your immediate and timely response to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
LC Outdoors Mountaineering Club
La Castellana , Negros Occidental
Arangka La Castellana
The Negrense Juanderer
LAKAT Ni DOi SKi
Plan Out
Akyat Outdoors Club
Remuel Seladan Lajo
Travel with Tin
GreenAlert Negros
