By CESAR JOLITO III

The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has officially taken over the chairmanship of the Regional Task Force (RTF) Kanlaon from OCD in Western Visayas (Region 6), while the region continues to be under red alert due to ongoing volcanic activity.

OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III will now lead the task force, overseeing coordination, monitoring, and response operations related to Kanlaon.

The transition aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure more focused monitoring of the volcano.

Sermeno clarified that with the transfer of leadership, Western Visayas has downgraded its alert status from blue to white, indicating “normal” conditions.

“Western Visayas has been downgraded to white alert status,” he said.

He added that the alert downgrade in Region 6 does not imply reduced vigilance, but rather reflects the administrative shift.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-6 will continue routine monitoring, maintain information coordination, and remain on standby to support emergency response operations as needed.

Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 2, indicating moderate activity.

Authorities continue to remind residents and visitors to exercise caution, avoid the permanent danger zone, and stay updated on official advisories./CJ, WDJ