• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government is eyeing two properties in Barangay Talaptap, La Castellana to be purchased as permanent relocation sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Thursday (June 19) the acceptability of the permanent relocation sites for those affected will be the basis for the province to procure the properties.
“This is to ensure that the evacuees will stay at the new site and not return to their homes inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone,” he added.
Diaz said the owners of the Talaptap properties will send a letter-offer and the province will respond by sending an appraisal committee to conduct the valuation.
If the site is acceptable to the displaced residents and the local government officials, then the provincial government will start the procurement process for the property, he said.
One property in Barangay Talaptap spans eight hectares while the other is 11 hectares.
The 11-hectare property is near the barangay hall and the school, which makes it ideal as a permanent relocation site, Diaz said, adding that the displaced residents cannot be brought to evacuation centers outside the town because that would be far from their livelihood and the schools.
“While the provincial government will continue to provide food assistance to the evacuees, we are also planning livelihood opportunities for them,” he said. | GB
