The government will implement a long-term plan to ensure the safety of residents affected by the eruption of the volcano in Negros Island, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said March 3 as he organized the National Task Force on Kanlaon.
Marcos said the plan involves identifying safe evacuation sites and establishing permanent relocation areas.
In organizing the National Task Force on Kanlaon, the President said he prefers to keep the composition small, with the DND-OCD (Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense) as lead.
Marcos stressed the need for a plan to move people out of danger zones and build large evacuation centers for Kanlaon-affected residents, the Presidential Communications Office said March 4.
“That’s the one item we have to decide on – the location of the evacuation centers. Once again, let’s coordinate very closely with the local governments,” Marcos added. “They already have some proposals. Tingnan lang natin kung talagang it’s scientifically correct in terms of the choice…And then (let’s see) how we regulate the rebuilding in the different towns.”
The President initially broached the need to form a national task force on Kanlaon during his visit to La Carlota City in Negros Occidental Feb. 21 to check on the condition of internally-displaced persons (IDPs), and distribute cash assistance and family food packs.
Marcos had said there is need to formulate a long-term redevelopment plan for communities affected by the eruption of Mount Kanlaon, and pushed for permanent evacuation centers for displaced residents.
The PCO had said that 2,660 families, or 8,509 individuals, displaced by the Dec. 9 explosive eruption and the continuing volcano unrest are still in 23 evacuation centers in Negros Island.
Officials from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also said during the March 3 meeting that the eastern side of Kanlaon volcano is still inflating, with nine tremors logged in the past 24 hours.
Marcos earlier advised IDPs to remain in evacuation centers for their own safety. He said that while he understands their sentiments and wish to return home, there is still need to stay put since the eruption risk of the volcano remains.
He assured that government help will continue as long as the IDPs need it. ||
