• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The eruption of Kanlaon volcano has resulted in the government recommending the relocation of communities within its 4-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday met with mayors of local government units surrounding Kanlaon volcano, which is currently under Alert Level 3, and they discussed the possibilities of relocating those residing within the permanent danger zone.
If the local government units are ready to provide the land, Lacson said the provincial government will help those affected by the relocation.
“There is something we should learn about this incident at Kanlaon,” he added.
At present, there are 4,128 families (13,454 persons) sheltered in 34 evacuation centers, while an additional 2,351 families (7,458 persons) have sought refuge outside those centers, according to reports of the Office of the Civil Defense.
Lacson admitted that it is very taxing to keep moving people to evacuation centers when there is an eruption. At the least, we can already relocate those in the 4km danger zone. It’s the LGU that will be saving money, because we don’t have to relocate anybody, the governor said.
He estimates that less than half of internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently occupying evacuation centers are residing within the 4km danger zone.
Lacson also raised the possibility that the relocation of communities may cover up to six kilometers.
He said that the situation of Kanlaon volcano has not improved since its December 9 phreatic eruption, noting the continued occurrence of ash emission events, volcanic tremors, and emission of sulfur dioxide, far above normal levels.
There is still a possibility of eruptions, Lacson said.
The Regional Inter Agency Coordinating Cell (RIACC) and Task Force Kanlaon, chaired by OCD 6 regional director Raul Fernandez, will meet with Lacson and Negros Island mayors on January 8 in Bacolod City.
The possibility of allowing IDPs to return to their respective homes, if concurred by the concerned local government executives, will be among the topics to be discussed during the meeting, Lacson said.
In a report dated Jan. 7, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged 37 volcanic earthquakes and noted continuous degassing of Kanlaon volcano, with gas emission plumes as high as 1,400 meters.*
