BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is set to declare a state of calamity following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Monday, which has displaced 18,868 individuals across five local government units (LGUs).
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the declaration would allow the utilization of the province’s 30 percent quick response fund, amounting to P78 million.
According to a situational report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of 11 a.m. on Dec. 10, the eruption impacted the following areas:
* La Castellana town – eight barangays, 2,199 families (7,294 individuals)
* Moises Padilla town – one barangay, four families (36 individuals)
* Bago City – two barangays, 137 families (560 individuals)
* Pontevedra town – two barangays, 420 families (722 individuals)
* La Carlota City – two barangays, 357 families (1,287 individuals)
Governor Lacson said these figures could rise as assessments continue.
Close monitoring of Mt. Kanlaon is continuing, with the Department of National Defense (DND) forming Task Force Kanlaon, led by Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Western Visayas regional director Raul Fernandez.
The task force is coordinating with the provincial government and affected LGUs.
Kanlaon Volcano, a stratovolcano standing at 2,465 meters above sea level, straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Known as the highest peak in the Visayas, it is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
Kanlaon has over 30 recorded eruptions since 1819. Its most violent eruption in recent history occurred in August 1996, when a sudden explosion killed three climbers and injured 18 others.
For this latest eruption, an evacuation plan is in place for three weeks, contingent on the absence of further eruptions.
However, if volcanic activity persists, a 10-kilometer permanent danger zone may be implemented.
Lacson also discussed the situation with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to align response efforts.
OCD regional director Donato Sermeno III reported that approximately 87,000 individuals reside within Mt. Kanlaon’s six-kilometer danger zone, encompassing areas in the Negros Island Region (NIR).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed assistance, including facemasks and tents, to affected families. Classes remain suspended in the impacted LGUs.
The provincial government is urging vigilance as it continues to address the needs of affected residents and monitor the volcano’s activity./PN
