By JEN BAYLON

The relocation site for residents in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town, living within Kanlaon Volcano’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), is being finalized.

John de Asis, head of the La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), said the municipal government will identify the relocation site soon.

De Asis said the local government unit will need funds from the national government to purchase lots and materials for the construction of houses.

He reported that 15 families, comprising 50 individuals from two barangays, are still staying at evacuation centers since the eruption of Kanlaon last June 3.

The residents are being provided with essential necessities while they await relocation.

De Asis said the evacuees are allowed to work on their farms within the PDZ in the morning.

However, they have to return to the evacuation centers in the afternoon.

Earlier, the DRRMO said the affected residents of Barangays Biak na Bato and Cabagnaan would be relocated from the PDZ, as the local government unit was studying the proposal.

The La Castellana DRRMO remains on high alert for any changes in Kanlaon’s volcanic activities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed an increase in ground deformation in Kanlaon’s edifice, as it warned of higher chances of an eruption taking place.

Mari Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said Kanlaon is showing signs of unrest, which could lead to a higher alert level./JB, WDJ