By JEN BAYLON
Local government units (LGUs) have the discretion to allow evacuees living within Kanlaon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) to return to their homes, the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) said yesterday.
However, OCD-6 Regional Director Raul Fernandez said, as far as they are concerned, they are not recommending decampment of affected residents from evacuation centers as Kanlaon still poses threats.
This follows as more than 4,000 evacuees from three LGUs in Negros Occidental returned to their homes yesterday after being displaced following Kanlaon’s explosive eruption last December 9.
The decision was made through consultations with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo and La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan.
Fernandez is urging residents to remain in evacuation centers, as authorities anticipate a potential Alert Level 4 over Kanlaon, which would signify a heightened risk for residents.
“We are talking about thousands of lives. We want to create a manageable situation,” Fernandez explained.
He pointed out that La Castellana town is susceptible to lahar flows from Kanlaon, making it crucial to relocate residents safely.
“Kung maibaba natin sila, other LGUs would come in and help those managing the camps,” he said.
The current seismic activity around Kanlaon has raised alarms, with low-frequency earthquakes continuing to occur, indicating that rocks are still fracturing beneath the volcano’s surface.
“Kung may nasusunog, umaabo ang bulkan,” Fernandez warned, suggesting that any signs of smoke or burning could signal an imminent eruption.
“For as long as there’s ground deformation, it means there’s magma moving upwards. The more we should be worried,” he added.
Fernandez reassured residents that the OCD-6 is not arbitrarily imposing these measures but instead is responding to a genuine threat.
The OCD is also focusing on long-term resettlement plans for those living within the four-kilometer PDZ.
To address the immediate needs of those affected by the volcanic unrest, an early recovery cluster has been established to assess and respond to the requirements of internally displaced persons.
The initiative aims to ensure that evacuees receive adequate support during this challenging time.
The OCD-6 is also working diligently to meet their needs while coordinating with LGUs for additional assistance.
However, challenges remain in providing sufficient food supplies and essential kits for those displaced.
Meanwhile, Fernandez said about P15.3 billion is needed for the first 30 days of disaster response operations if Kanlaon erupts again under Alert Level 4, based on their projected calculations.
More than 124,000 residents within a 10-kilometer radius will be affected if that happens, he added.
Fernandez said that they have already informed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and concerned national officials of the need for additional funds and resources if there is a mass evacuation of people in areas within the danger zone.
Careful decision
Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II confirmed that the return of more than 4,000 evacuees yesterday was a carefully considered decision.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said evacuees will return to their homes in La Castellana town’s Barangay Sag-ang, while in Bago City, about 200 evacuees from Barangay Ilijan are also allowed to go home.
However, a final review by the La Castellana Incident Management Team will determine which evacuees are cleared to return home.
Four hectares of land in Barangay Manghanoy have been designated as a permanent relocation site for affected residents.
Those still residing within the PDZ in La Carlota City will not be permitted to go home yet.
The majority of these individuals live in areas that are difficult for rescuers to access should Kanlaon erupt again.
Local officials are committed to finding a suitable relocation site for these residents as well.
They also discussed strategies for managing the remaining 8,732 evacuees still residing in evacuation centers.
As of yesterday, the OCD-6 reported that Kanlaon’s eruption has affected 12,226 families and 46,787 individuals currently housed in 34 evacuation centers in Western and Central Visayas.
At least 4,028 families, composed of 13,085 residents, are inside the evacuation centers, while 2,351 families, or 7,458 individuals, are living outside the facilities./JB, WDJ