By Jennifer P. Rendon
Thousands of families within the six-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) of Mount Kanlaon are expected to spend Christmas and New Year in evacuation centers.
Raul Fernandez, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has requested 21 days, starting Dec. 10, to monitor Mount Kanlaon’s activity.
“They are studying Kanlaon’s behavior. After this period, they can determine whether to downgrade to Alert Level 2, maintain Alert Level 3, or escalate the alert level further,” Fernandez said.
Current indicators suggest that families and individuals within the six-kilometer danger zone may need to remain in evacuation centers for an extended period.
As of 6 a.m. on Dec. 16, data from the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reported 4,969 affected families in Regions 6 and 7, accounting for approximately 16,054 individuals.
Region 6 logged 3,695 affected families, while Region 7, where Canlaon City is the only affected locality, reported 1,274 families.
Fernandez noted that 100 percent evacuation has been implemented for individuals within the six-kilometer danger zone in Negros Occidental.
As of Monday morning, about 93 percent of affected families in Negros Occidental had been evacuated.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas assured the OCD-6 that they would achieve 100 percent compliance with the forced evacuation by 6 p.m. Monday.
Fernandez acknowledged that responding to the needs of evacuees has been the most significant challenge.
“Sustaining their needs has been a big challenge for the agencies concerned. The year is ending, and most LGUs have already depleted their resources,” Fernandez said.
He added that the OCD has requested additional quick response funds (QRF) from the Office of the President.
Due to their prolonged stay in evacuation centers, evacuees have grown tired of eating canned goods and have requested hot meals.
“Those who want to help can do so by providing hot meals,” Fernandez said.
He also encouraged donors to provide other necessities for children, such as milk, water, and hygiene items.
