By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called for a meeting with Raul Fernandez, chair of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon and director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Western Visayas, to discuss the proposed extension of the Kanlaon Volcano Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) from six kilometers to 10 kilometers.
“I am calling for a meeting with Fernandez today, Monday (Dec. 23, 2024),” Lacson said in a chance interview on Sunday after attending the 3rd Partido Kusog Talisaynon (PKT) General Assembly at the Talisay gymnasium.
He said the meeting would seek clarification on the potential expansion, which he described as a significant challenge.
“As it is right now, we can cope, but we are already dealing with a lot of challenges. Extending the radius to 10 kilometers would make things even more difficult,” Lacson said.
He added that he had invited concerned mayors to join the discussion.
“We hope to have a fruitful discussion,” Lacson said.
OCD Considers Extended Danger Zone
Fernandez earlier stated that the OCD is considering expanding the Kanlaon Volcano danger zone to 10 kilometers if weather conditions worsen.
He reported mudflows in some villages of La Castellana and La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, following several days of heavy rain.
The OCD is closely monitoring weather reports from PAGASA, which would prompt a massive evacuation if necessary.
“By extending the PDZ to 10 kilometers, we can ensure that all residents in the path of lahar will be evacuated before hazards arrive,” Fernandez said.
He acknowledged that the expansion would require the evacuation of thousands more residents but emphasized that it is part of advanced planning.
Preparatory work for the potential evacuation is underway to ensure readiness for a worst-case scenario.
PHIVOLCS Recommends 6-Km Evacuation
Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, clarified that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recommended a six-kilometer radius evacuation and has not expanded it to 10 kilometers.
However, she warned that prolonged and heavy rainfall could trigger post-eruption lahar flows from pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits left by Kanlaon’s Dec. 9 explosion.
Fernandez and Lacson’s meeting aims to align disaster response efforts and prepare for potential hazards as the province remains vigilant against the risks posed by Kanlaon Volcano.
