By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Island Region-Department of the Interior and Local Government (NIR-DILG) has urged local government units (LGUs) affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption to submit their contingency plans before March.
NIR-DILG Assistant Regional Director Teodora Sumagaysay said on Wednesday that the department closely monitors Kanlaon’s activity and submits daily situation reports to the central office.
“We are constantly monitoring Kanlaon Volcano’s activity every day, then we submit situation reports to the central office. These reports are used in national-level meetings,” she said.
She emphasized that while the DILG focuses on preparedness, it is now prioritizing response and recovery efforts.
“If LGUs have any concerns, we must immediately respond,” Sumagaysay added.
LGUs have been tasked with formulating contingency plans in light of the potential for a major eruption.
“The contingency plan is being formulated by the LGUs, and the DILG is ready to assist and remind them that it should already be in place,” she said.
Sumagaysay noted that a key challenge for LGUs is resource availability, stressing that contingency plans must be realistic and not just created for compliance.
“We have to ensure that contingency plans are finalized before March,” she reiterated.
Meanwhile, Sumagaysay said the DILG-NIR is currently 70 percent functional, as some of its programs, funds, and functions remain under Regions 6 and 7.
She also noted that the department lacks personnel, which has affected its full operational capacity.
