Mayor Antonio Renacia of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, expressed fears yesterday about  possible flooding in the town when the rainy season starts next month.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geographical Astronomical Services Administration earlier predicted that rains would start in the middle of July, but the two-hour continuous strong rains Wednesday have caused a sudden increase in volume of water from the Okoy River.

The source of the river is in the mountains of Valencia covered by the area jurisdiction of the Energy Development Corporation.

Renacia said he was informed that the private contractors have withdrawn and stopped the rechanneling project of the Okoy River in Barangay Magatas, because of threats and damage to some of their properties.

On Wednesday, one of the contractors withdrew all its equipment from the rechanneling site.

Renacia was informed that personnel of the private contractors working for the rechanneling project were threatened by some residents against the project in Barangay Magatas and Calabnugan.

The mayor said he fears for the possible overflow of floodwater to the Poblacion barangays, because it is located in low-lying areas of Sibulan. In fact, they have experienced the massive flooding in some of the barangays in Sibulan during the unprecedented flood on February 2009, Renacia said.

He added that Purok 2 in Barangay Magatas where the Okoy River traverses needs to be dredged and rechanneled, because of the accumulated aggregates that will cause the water to overflow especially during flood.

The mayor said he was anticipating that the rechanneling project would be completed before the rainy season. He expects a strong current from the Okoy River during flood, because of the completed rechanneling project in Barangay Palinpinon in Valencia, Candau-ay in Dumaguete City, and Purok 6 in Barangay Magatas.

Earlier, some residents and members of the Barangay Council of Magatas expressed their opposition to the rechanneling project, through the private contractors. They want the rechanneling, but only on condition that it is done through the provincial government.

Some residents who own properties near the river said they are apprehensive about the rechanneling, because it will affect their properties. They wanted the river to rehabilitate itself.

Renacia said the rechanneling project has become a political issue which was why Gov. Emilio Macias II got unfavorable votes last May. He said people will realize the need for the project, only when something happens.*MA

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