Canlaon City in Negros Oriental is on alert against landslides and mudflows amid heavy rainfall and weather disturbances.
Seth Bariga, information officer of the Canlaon City’s Emergency Operations Center, told the Philippine News Agency Sept. 4 that emergency response units and local government offices are keeping a close watch on the weather to ensure the safety of residents.
The heightened vigilance comes after a landslide in Manggapa, Barangay Masulog, of the mountain city over the weekend that was triggered by heavy rains.
“The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is ready to respond anytime, especially in areas that are vulnerable to landslides and lahar flow,” Bariga said.
While Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest has relatively died down in recent weeks, there is still the danger of a lahar flow. Volcanic sediments from recent eruptions have accumulated on the slopes and could be dislodged by a heavy downpour. A lahar flow was reported in Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, this past weekend.
Bariga noted that, so far, the waters remain crystal clear at the Padudusan Falls-Natural Waterslide in Canlaon City, which was previously covered with lahar flow at the height of volcanic unrest and eruptions.
The Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT), meanwhile, turned over 64 blankets to Canlaon City for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently in evacuation camps.
Prior to the distribution, the RIMT conducted a courtesy call at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Canlaon CDRRMO to coordinate and formally endorse the non-food items (NFIs) and welfare goods, the Civil Defense Negros Island Region posted Sept. 4.
It added that 20 blankets were handed over to the camp manager at Brgy. Pula covered court, while the remaining 44 were brought to Brgy. Masulog covered court and turned over, also to the camp manager.
Currently, there are four families with 20 individuals living inside the evacuation camp in Brgy. Pula, while 12 families with 44 individuals are at Brgy. Masulog evacuation camp.
This turnover effort reflects the continued commitment of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon to support affected communities by ensuring that essential relief items reach those who need them most. ||
