Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, assured all Mt. Kanlaon evacuees of continued government support.
Nepomuceno made this pledge during his visit to Canlaon City where he was met by key disaster mitigation and local government officials in the region.
These officials include OCD Western Visayas Director Raul Fernandez, OCD Central Visayas Director Joel Erestain, and OCD Negros Island Director Donato Sermeno III.
“Their visit aimed to personally understand the situation and discuss concerns and needs with camp leaders amid the ongoing restiveness of Mount Kanlaon,” the agency said.
Nepomuceno also met with Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, who briefed him on the latest updates regarding the volcano, which is currently under Alert Level 3.
This alert indicates a heightened risk of a more violent eruption, with a potential increase to Alert Level 4 due to ongoing volcanic activity, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
“Our presence here is a testament to the national government’s dedication to ensuring that evacuees and camp leaders receive the guidance and assistance they need,” Nepomuceno said.
The OCD chief also engaged directly with evacuees and camp leaders, acknowledging the difficulties faced by those displaced during this challenging time.
“Ngayon kasi, nasa Level 3 po tayo. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung mga nasa kilometer mula one hanggang six, ‘yan ‘yung delikado. Kaya kinakailangan, para rin naman po sa inyong kaligtasan ‘yun, upang hindi kayo masaktan o may mamatay sa atin. Subalit, ‘pag naging Level 4 na, ‘yun ang pinaghahandaan natin. Kaya mula six kilometers hanggang 10 kilometers, mas maraming dapat ilikas,” Nepomuceno said, stressing the importance of safety measures.
He also recognized the evacuees’ emotional and practical challenges ranging from their inability to go about their daily lives normally, leaving their sources of livelihood and farms unattended.
Adding to this is the uncertainty of how long this situation will last, he added.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the government, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is committed to providing assistance and addressing their needs.
He also vowed to regularly communicate with local leaders so that needs can be immediately addressed. (PNA)