By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has called for prayers as the province faces the looming threat of another eruption from Kanlaon Volcano.
“I would say what we really need now is Divine Intervention, close to a miracle, that Kanlaon will just calm down and rest,” Lacson said during a press briefing at his office on Thursday.
The governor noted that the volcano remains at Alert Level 3, with its peculiar activity showing no significant changes. He also reported that the number of evacuees has remained steady.
“Experts say it will erupt, but they don’t know when. So, a decision must be made,” Lacson said, adding that he plans to convene a meeting with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) next week.
Lacson said the meeting will explore whether evacuees could return home temporarily, similar to what was done in June 2024, when displaced residents returned home before being relocated to evacuation centers in December without casualties.
He acknowledged the challenges of prolonged stays in evacuation centers, stating, “For the past three weeks, it may have been manageable, but eventually, people will grow tired. That is something we need to discuss with OCD.”
The governor expressed concerns about the health of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), suggesting that staying in their homes might be better for their well-being.
“Their health is a major concern, and it seems safer for them to be in their homes, healthwise,” Lacson said.
He emphasized that the State of Calamity remains in effect, allowing the provincial government to use its 2025 budget for disaster-related expenses. However, he noted that there is no clear guideline yet on utilizing the PHP50 million financial assistance from Malacañang.
Lacson warned that the situation would become more challenging if the alert level escalates to Alert Level 4.
“That would mean more IDPs needing help. That’s why I said Divine Intervention is what we truly need to save us,” Lacson stressed.
