By JEN BAYLON
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is concerned about the urgent need for clean water for affected residents following Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption.
“We should be concerned because water is a need and, for now, they cannot use their normal or regular source of water,” Lacson said.
The ashfall from the volcanic activity caused water contamination and disrupted daily life in affected areas, prompting immediate action from local authorities.
An estimated 3,000 households, or 12,000 residents, in two barangays of La Carlota City were affected by the contaminated water supply due to Kanlaon’s eruption on Tuesday, April 8.
La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on said the water source in Guintubdan Spring and two sources in Balagacay Spring that supply water to Barangays Ara-al and San Miguel were affected by volcanic ashfall.
The La Carlota City Water District is conducting a clearing operation to restore normal water supply as soon as possible.
Currently, the city government is rationing drinking water to the affected barangays using 5,000 jerry cans they purchased.
The provincial government deployed two water filtration trucks to La Castellana town and La Carlota — areas heavily impacted by water contamination.
The Bureau of Fire Protection has also been mobilized for road flushing operations in affected areas, with diesel provided by the provincial government to support their fire trucks.
These efforts aim to mitigate ashfall impacts on infrastructure and improve road safety.
Lacson expressed hope that water sources would clear within a few days or weeks, allowing residents to resume their usual supply.
He confirmed that food provision and other essential services for evacuees remain ongoing.
Despite the challenges posed by volcanic activity, the governor expressed optimism about recovery efforts and reiterated the province’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
Kanlaon had an almost one-hour explosive eruption on Tuesday, producing a voluminous bent plume approximately 4,000 meters tall that drifted southwest.
The volcano also emitted 1,655 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3 due to magmatic unrest, indicating the possibility of further explosive eruptions.
Communities within a six-kilometer radius of the summit crater are advised to remain evacuated due to risks such as pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls and lahars.
Local government units continue to monitor the situation closely while providing relief and rehabilitation support.
Relocation site
The Bago City government is finalizing the establishment of a permanent relocation site for evacuees from the areas covered by Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).
In a radio interview, Bago Mayor Nicolas Yulo said they have already identified a location for the relocation site, while the city government is currently awaiting the approval of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
If approved, Yulo said, they will immediately develop the site so that the evacuees can be relocated.
Earlier, a total of 22 families, composed of 80 individuals, from Barangay Ilihan’s Purok Manokan, located within the PDZ, were transferred from the Regional Evacuation Center in Barangay Lag-asan to the “Payag sang Kapag-on Village” in Barangay Napoles.
The city government has established the Payag sang Kapag-on Village on its seven-hectare property, which will serve as a temporary resettlement site for persons affected by the volcanic eruption on December 9, 2024.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said permanent relocation sites for families affected by eruptions should be established.
Ferrer said what is currently in place are band-aid solutions.
The vice governor, who was reacting to the volcano’s recent eruption, said the disaster funds of the affected local governments in the province are already exhausted, although the national government is helping.
“Life in evacuation centers is not normal for the displaced residents,” Ferrer said.
“That is why it would be better if permanent relocation sites were considered,” he added.
Ferrer assured that the provincial government will not abandon the evacuees, and its feeding program will continue amid the volcanic eruption threat. / JB, WDJ