OCD: Permanent Kanlaon evacuation sites to cost P1 Billion
BACOLOD CITY—The proposed permanent evacuation sites in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and La Castellana town in Negros Occidental for residents affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest will cost about P1 billion.
Raul Fernandez, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director in Western Visayas and head of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, said the estimate was made after President Marcos directed local authorities to consider setting up permanent shelters where residents can take refuge from the wrath of the restive volcano.
“The proposed plan will have to be presented to the national task force for consideration and approval,” Fernandez said in an interview on Feb 27.
Permanent evacuation sites are being proposed for the about 35,000 families each in Canlaon City and La Castellana, localities expected to be the hardest hit by a major eruption of Kanlaon.
Fernandez said Canlaon City was proposing to use container vans for shelter at a permanent evacuation site in Barangay Binalbagan, about 15 kilometers from the summit of the volcano, costing about P500 million.
La Castellana in Negros Occidental has no permanent evacuation site yet but would likely need the same funding amount, said Fernandez.
The permanent evacuation sites will house residents whenever an alert level is raised that requires residents to be relocated, so schools will no longer have to be used as evacuation centers, Fernandez explained.
He said the sites could have multipurpose uses, such as a venue for large gatherings when not used by evacuees.
Short notice
However, permanent new housing sites would need to be set up for 36 families from La Castellana and 48 from Canlaon City who are no longer allowed to return to the 4-km permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mt. Kanlaon, said Fernandez.
Currently, about 10,000 people are still housed in various evacuation centers in the two Negros provinces and have not been allowed to return to their villages in the 6-km danger zone after the volcano erupted on Dec. 9 last year.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officials earlier stressed the necessity of keeping the PDZ uninhabited, as it reiterated the need to remain vigilant against a major eruption at Mt. Kanlaon that could again happen anytime.
“With Kanlaon Volcano being an active threat to the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, it is essential that both the authorities and the public understand the risks involved and the necessary measures to take in the event of an eruption,” said Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol.
He warned that an eruption could occur with only at least two hours’ notice, hence the need for the 6-km danger zone to be cleared of residents.
“The public should remain vigilant and follow the advice of authorities,” Bacolcol said.
