ILOILO City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6, in collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), plans to enhance safety measures near Mount Kanlaon in Negros Occidental by placing flag markers within the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano.
Raul Fernandez, OCD-6 director, said one of the critical steps forward is to establish a clear demarcation line around the PDZ to ensure the residents’ safety amid Mount Kanlaon’s continuing volcanic threats.
“Identifying the exact boundary of the 4km PDZ has been challenging. By setting up flag markers, we can clearly demarcate this area,” Fernandez explained.
Following the demarcation, the OCD-6 will coordinate with local government units (LGUs) to consider relocating families residing within the PDZ.
Preliminary estimates suggest that 83 households in La Castellana town alone might need to be relocated.
However, the validation of these figures awaits the placement of the flags, as discrepancies exist in the current boundary definitions.
“We only have estimates right now; we cannot validate them until the flags are placed, as versions vary,” Fernandez added.
When asked who would bear the cost of relocation, Fernandez acknowledged that this is a significant challenge and should involve a whole-of-government approach, including both LGUs and national agencies.
This complexity is why the OCD-6, after installing the markers, plans to convene with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDDMC) to create a comprehensive contingency plan.
“This is complex, involving the affected individuals’ livelihoods, relocation conditions, and the economic status of Negros Island,” Fernandez noted.
Currently, Mount Kanlaon is at Alert Level 2, which prohibits entry within the 4km PDZ and any aircraft from flying near the crater.
Fernandez also warned that the volcano might emit steam or phreatic explosions at any moment.
“Always be prepared, as Mount Kanlaon could erupt again at any time,” he said.
On June 3, 2024, an explosion at Kanlaon Volcano’s summit vent emitted a large, incandescent plume that rose rapidly to 5,000 meters above the vent and produced short pyroclastic density currents approximately two to three kilometers down its southern and southeastern slopes.
The eruption, lasting six minutes, followed a significant volcano-tectonic earthquake, with residents noticing small rocks falling and the smell of sulfur in various barangays across Negros Occidental.
Ashfall has also affected several cities and municipalities including La Carlota, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Carlos, Valladolid, and Bago./PN
