BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, Feb. 21, led the situational briefing on the status of restive Mt. Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental, citing the importance of ensuring the safety of the residents and assessing their needs.
During the briefing at the La Carlota South Elementary School 2 on Friday, the President said that one of the plans that transpired from the discussion is the creation of a permanent evacuation center outside the 10-kilometer-radius danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano, to ensure the safety of the residents in case the alert is raised to Level 4.
“There’s this proposal na magkakaroon ng permanent evacuation centers sa labas ng danger zone so that in case mag-Alert Level 4, mayroong tatakbuhan ang lahat ng tao. Umabot na rin sa evacuation area para kahit ano ang gawin ng Mt. Kanlaon, may pupuntahan ang lahat ng tao and we can continue to support that they can continue to make a living, tuloy-tuloy pa rin,” Marcos said.
Earlier in the day, Marcos visited La Carlota City to see the situation of the affected residents and to assess their immediate needs.
Moreover, he said he would order the release of additional funds to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of concerned LGUs to carry out their contingency plans.
He also shared that the local chief executives of Negros Occidental already presented several ideas in addressing the problems brought about by Mt. Kalaon eruption.
Among the proposals is the creation of a task force that will be led by the Office of Civil Defense in order to consolidate the ideas and to implement long-term measures in addressing the crisis.
Aside from leading the briefing, the President, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), also led the distribution of family food packs and cash aid from the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) amounting to P5,000 for each of the 323 affected families staying in evacuation camps.
Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council released on February 20 indicated that a total of 12,630 families or 48,528 individuals have been displaced, with 57 towns in Western Visayas and Central Visayas placed under a state of calamity.
Latest report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology indicates that Kanlaon’s volcanic activity continues with around 19 volcanic earthquakes recorded daily. (JNH/PIA Iloilo)
