Permanent relocation for Kanlaon danger zone dwellers eyed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The removal of human settlements from the four-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano in La Castellana, Negros Occidental is being pushed by the local government.

Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday proposed for a permanent relocation of about 100 families living within the volcano’s danger zone in La Castellana.

The proposal supports a similar recommendation of the Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas.

The OCD-Western Visayas asked the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the delineation of the four-kilometer-radius danger zone, in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Kanlaon’s danger zone includes portions of the cities of La Carlota and Bago as well as the towns of Murcia and La Castellana in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

OCD-Western Visayas chief Raul Fernandez said the permanent danger zone should remain unoccupied.

As of yesterday, there were 891 families staying in five evacuation centers in La Castellana as alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano.

Phivolcs recorded five volcanic quakes yesterday.