By CESAR JOLITO III
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Island Region (RDRRMC-NIR) has unanimously approved a resolution recommending the adoption and implementation of the BAKWIT Card System, a simplified evacuation plan and procedure for communities highly at risk of the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
The measure, approved on August 26 during the RDRRMC’s first full council meeting at a hotel in Bacolod City, seeks to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure safe, secure and orderly evacuation of families residing within the four- to six-kilometer danger zones of Kanlaon.
The BAKWIT Card was developed following increased volcanic activity since June 2024, when Kanlaon was placed under Alert Level 2 and later Alert Level 3 in December of the same year.
Recognized by the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, the card was officially introduced during its rollout on June 11, and has since been endorsed for full implementation.
Serving as both a reference guide and identification tool, the BAKWIT Card outlines essential items to bring during the evacuation as well as designated pick-up points and evacuation centers. It also helps disaster responders manage evacuation flow and verify families during emergencies.
Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental invited the Office of Civil Defense in NIR to present the card’s concept and conduct an information and education campaign on August 11 for high-risk communities.
A functional exercise by the Negros Occidental Provincial DRRM Office also recommended its implementation after testing disaster response strategies for a simulated Alert Level 4 scenario.
The resolution was jointly endorsed by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in NIR, and was unanimously approved by the council and approved by RDRRMC-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III.
Copies will be furnished to all member agencies of the RDRRMC, local disaster councils and other stakeholders for proper dissemination and implementation.
With the approval of the BAKWIT Card, authorities hope to significantly reduce risks, improve response coordination, and safeguard the lives of thousands of residents living near Kanlaon./CJ, WDJ