President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. urged officials of local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies to let science guide their planning for Kanlaon eruption response and redevelopment.
In his visit to La Carlota City in Negros Occidental recently, Marcos, in a briefing with local officials, underscored the significance of scientific data in their planning of both short and long-term solutions for the Kanlaon crisis.
The president said all volcanic hazards and risks issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) must be taken into consideration to ensure the safety of the affected population.
“We have to be the ones to make the plan. But again, it will be guided by science.”
According to the President, the locations of the proposed permanent evacuation centers and possible redevelopment areas must be safe from all hazard types, and have critical facilities and infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, roads, and sewage systems, among others.
The livelihood and employment of the displaced population must also be given importance, the president pointed out to the mayors of towns and cities around Kanlaon Volcano.
“Hindi lang basta-basta kung saan ilalagay [ang permanent evacuation centers at redevelopment areas] … Marami ang kailangan na consideration na dapat kasama sa planning,” he noted.
Meanwhile, local chief executives from the hard-hit town and cities of La Castellana, La Carlota and Canlaon raised concerns over the rapid depletion of their respective quick response funds being used for the food of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and maintenance of evacuation centers.
As funding concerns grow over the needs of IDPs who remain in evacuation centers amid the active threat of Kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense recently allocated over P100 million worth of assistance to the affected LGUs in Negros Island.
President Marcos also reiterated the commitment of the government in supporting the needs of the Negrense IDPs until this calamity is over and they can finally return to their normal lives. (PIA-Negros Occidental)