• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The development of the relocation site for residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano is seen to start this month, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Negros Island Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said on Tuesday, March 3.
These individuals are no longer allowed to return to their respective homes in Barangay Talaptap, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The provincial government recently turned over the 8.6-hectare lot it purchased for the La Castellana municipal government.
The OCD is also eyeing to build an evacuation center in the same area.
Sermeno said the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development is starting the installation of modular shelter units for the evacuees, which will be further developed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to pave the way for the construction of the evacuation center.
Presently, the 39 families in high-risk areas of Kanlaon Volcano are staying at the town evacuation center.
La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said two hectares of land will also be set aside for a communal farm that may be tilled by the displaced families. | GB
