By CESAR JOLITO III

More than 300 families in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town have expressed their willingness to be relocated as precautionary measures heighten the persistent threat posed by Kanlaon Volcano.

According to John de Asis, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the decision came after a series of consultation meetings with affected residents.

The relocation aims to move families away from identified “risk areas” most vulnerable to the volcano’s activity.

The provincial government has already committed support by sponsoring the procurement of a permanent relocation site in Barangay Talaptap.

De Asis said the area will not only serve as a housing site but will also accommodate livelihood programs to help residents rebuild stable lives after relocation.

He clarified, however, that no sulfuric odor or ash fall has been recorded in La Castellana in recent days, despite intermittent ash emissions observed from Kanlaon.

Authorities remain particularly concerned about Barangay Biak na Bato, considered a low-lying area, which could bear the brunt of volcanic emissions if activity intensifies.

Data from the Office of Civil Defense in August showed at least 103 families or 300 persons are living within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, particularly in La Castellana. /CJ, WDJ