• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The municipal government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental has identified a relocation site for its residents living within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon volcano.
However, the local government unit will need funds from the national government for purchase of lots and construction of houses for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), said John de Asis, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, stressing that the municipal government cannot afford it.
As of this time, De Asis reported that there are still 15 families, composed of 50 individuals, who are still staying at evacuation centers in Barangays Masulog and Biak Na Bato in La Castellana, more than a month after being displaced by the phreatic eruption of Kanlaon volcano on June 3.
He said they are allowed to work on their farms located within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone in the morning, but have to return to the evacuation centers in the afternoon.
On Thursday, Raul Fernandez, head of the Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas (OCD-6), said they are coordinating with other government agencies to initiate the relocation of residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mt. Kanlaon.
“One of the challenges is the cost of relocation. Our LGUs cannot afford the budget for that so we are seeking the assistance of the involved national government agencies to come up with a plan on how they can relocate and support those who will be displaced and are dependent on agriculture in Mt. Kanlaon,” Fernandez said in an interview on the sidelines of the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council-6, Regional Peace and Order Council-6, and RDRRMC-6 held at the L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.
He said these agencies include the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture.
Kanlaon volcano remains on Alert Level 2.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has logged a single volcanic quake in the past 24 hours, and recorded 2,329 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions on July 18 at the volcano.*
