Gov’t prepared for worst case scenario in Kanlaon blast

THE government is prepared for the worst case scenario following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said on Wednesday.

Alejandro said evacuation centers are being readied in case the alert level is further raised. Current alert level is 3. 

At Alert Level 4, the number of people to be evacuated will increase by 10,000, the official explained. 

“Mayroon na tayong worst case scenario planning. At pinapa-ready na natin ‘yung mga evacuation centers na kailangan kasi kapag nagkaroon ng elevation ng Alert Level, kahit sa Alert Level 4 lang, madadagdagan ng sampung-libong tao. From 54,000 magiging 64,000 iyong kailangan ilikas,’ he said. 

Alejandro urged local government units (LGUs) to develop a proper evacuation system and ensure that family food packs and water facilities are made available for evacuees.

“So kailangan naka-ready na ang family food packs, evacuation center, wash facilities, tubig, [at] liguan. Kailangan talaga magkaroon na ng proper planning doon sa local government at iyong sustainability doon sa mga evacuation centers,” Alejandro said. 

EVACUEES INCREASING

Meanwhile, a total of 9,942 families, or 39,258 individuals, have been evacuated from Regions VI and VII, representing approximately 46% of the projected 16,910 families, or 84,549 people, planned for evacuation. 

Four municipalities and cities in Region VI, including Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana City, and San Carlos City, as well as Canlaon City in Region VII, fall within the 6-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). A total of 15 barangays from both regions are expected to be evacuated under the Alert Level 3 evacuation protocol recommended by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

On the other hand, Defense Secretary and NDRRMC Chair Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has outlined critical directives to enhance the government’s response to the Kanlaon eruption. 

He emphasized the need for the Regional Task Force to create a comprehensive evacuation plan that includes security measures and logistical support, ensuring a smooth evacuation from the priority zones within the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone. 

The plan should identify designated evacuation centers, detailing their names, locations, and capacities. 

Additionally, the Task Force is tasked with organizing and mobilizing the Regional Incident Management Team (IMT) and the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC). Following the Secretary’s directive, 1,000 family tents will be deployed to establish temporary shelters in open areas outside the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon volcano. According to the latest bulletin from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), two ash emission events and 31 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded today, with tremors lasting from 11 to 39 minutes. 

Ash plumes reached heights of 100 meters and drifted westward. The latest air quality assessment indicates fair conditions in affected areas, based on particulate matter levels monitored in Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City, and Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

ASSISTANCE TO EVACUEES

Humanitarian assistance is urgently needed, including family food packs, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits, to meet the immediate needs of those in evacuation centers. 

Evacuation operations continue within the 6-km-radius PDZ, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) providing P4,490,528.20 in humanitarian assistance to Regions VI and VII. 

Additionally, DSWD has prepositioned P488,792,301.31 in standby funds and relief stockpiles in the affected regions and central hubs.