Mandatory evacuation ordered in Kanlaon

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Mandatory evacuation is ongoing for remaining residents living within the six-kilometer-radius expanded danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas ordered people living within the danger zones in La Castellana and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental to immediately evacuate and follow the orders of authorities.

The Philippine National Police said it would draft a plan for the enforcement of the “no human activity inside the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone” policy, while concerned government agencies will present their evacuation plans.

In Negros Occidental, there are 33,806 people living within the danger zone, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council.

Irene Bel Ploteña, chief of the provincial disaster management program division, said the number of people staying in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental dropped from 14,922 to 10,864 on Friday after several families returned home.

In Canlaon City, up to 7,000 people were displaced following an explosive eruption on Monday.

The city government of Canlaon said it requested assistance and fund augmentation from Malacañang, noting the city’s assistance for displaced residents is good for three to four days only.

The volcanic eruption affected up to 26,000 farm animals and pets, according to Negros Occidental chief veterinarian Placeda Lemana.

Lemana said the animals were affected by ashfall and stench of sulfur.

P2 billion in funds, relief items

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has over P2 billion in funds and relief goods for families displaced by Kanlaon.

Irene Dumlao, DSWD Assistant Secretary for disaster response and management group, said the figure includes P92.2 million in standby funds and stockpiles at the agency’s central and field offices.

Dumlao said the DSWD has P1.1 billion worth of family food packs and P891 million in non-food items.

The DSWD and its partner agencies have so far provided P14.7 million worth of humanitarian assistance to people displaced by the volcano’s eruption.

As of yesterday, Dumlao said up to 10,000 families or 42,000 people in 25 barangays in Western and Central Visayas were affected by the calamity.

She said about 4,600 families or 15,000 people are staying in 28 evacuation centers.

Close to 1,100 families or 3,900 people are staying with friends or relatives.

Dumlao said their field officers are coordinating with local government units to address the needs of the evacuees.

She said that evacuation centers have adequate water, sanitation and health facilities as well as safe spaces for women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, up to five volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in Kanlaon since Friday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said up to 5,798 tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted as the volcano remained under Alert Level 3.

Phivolcs said it has been five days since the explosive eruption occurred, but Kanlaon remains under intensified or magmatic unrest.

On Thursday, Phivolcs recorded 13 ash emission events, which lasted between two minutes, and one hour and 18 minutes.

Earlier, state seismologists warned that a hazardous eruption and raising of the alert level from 3 to 4 is possible. — Emmanuel Tupas, Romina Cabrera