By CESAR JOLITO III

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division of Negros Oriental, under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, on Thursday, January 15, joined a site validation for the proposed evacuation center intended for families affected by the continuing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano.

The proposed site covers a five-hectare property in Canlaon City’s Barangay Binalbagan, with an estimated value of P85 million.

The land was acquired through the joint efforts of the provincial government and the city government as part of long-term recovery and resettlement plans for displaced residents.

Provincial officials said the site validation marks the initial phase of development for the evacuation and resettlement area.

Once developed, the location will initially accommodate 100 modular shelter units to be provided by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

The shelters are intended to house 62 families currently displaced from communities within Kanlaon’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone and staying in temporary evacuation camps.

Earlier, the provincial government released P42 million in financial assistance to the Canlaon City government to bolster response and relief operations related to the volcanic activity.

Officials said the coordinated effort underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, durable and humane shelter solutions for families affected by Kanlaon’s eruption./CJ, WDJ