• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The municipality of Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental and Guilhungan City in Negros Oriental have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Thursday, in connection with the evacuation of residents if Kanlaon volcano erupts again.
Under the MOA, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Moises Padilla will be evacuated to Guilhungan City.
Another eruption of Kanlaon volcano may lead to the declaration of Alert Level 4, which will extend the permanent danger zone up to 10 kilometers.
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who signed the MOA with Guihulngan City Mayor Filomeno Reyes, thanked him for accepting the responsibility of taking care of her constituents in case of a worst case scenario.
Yulo also called on Moises Padilla residents to pray and remain vigilant by preparing a “Go Bag” in case of the need for evacuation.
The MOA was signed to ensure that the residents of the town will remain safe in any eventuality and emergency, the Moises Padilla mayor said.
In a statement, Mayor Reyes said he is committed to helping and welcoming the residents from the areas affected by the disaster.
According to the latest information provided by PHIVOLCS, there is a possibility that another eruption will follow.
The cities of Himamaylan and Kabankalan are also being eyed by the Office of Civil Defense as evacuation centers for affected La Castellana residents.
On the other hand, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has purchased portalets to provide essential sanitation facilities for evacuees displaced by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.*
