• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Kanlaon evacuees who were transferred to other evacuation centers will continue to receive food assistance from the Negros Occidental provincial government, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson disclosed on Tuesday.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) were moved out from schools that were being used as evacuation centers, starting Friday last week, in La Castellana and La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Remuel Lajo, La Castellana Public Information Officer, earlier disclosed that IDPs from the barangays of Biak Na Bato, Mansalanao, Masulog, and Sag-ang, were transferred from the evacuation centers in the poblacion to their respective barangay covered courts.
However, some IDPs from Brgy. Cabagnaan, La Castellana, which is located within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone, are still using some classrooms, with the permission of school officials, while others are moving to emergency shelter tents that have been established for them. About 4,000 residents of La Castellana, and more than 1,000 populace of La Carlota City were affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
The Office of Civil Defense is also fast tracking the establishment of modular tents in Brgy. Mansalanao, La Castellana, to be used as a temporary relocation site for residents of Brgy. Cabagnaan.
Lacson admitted that it is difficult to stay in a tent city, since the rainy season is coming. “It is really gonna be a challenge,” he said.
The governor, however, said the provincial government is continuing its search for permanent relocation sites for IDPs.
He added that they are negotiating with owners of two properties that can be used as relocation sites. But there might be problems as to the value of the land, Lacson said.
We can’t just accept the offers of the owners. There has to be a basis for that, the governor said, adding that offers will go through to a committee for assessment.*
