• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said yesterday that they are requesting an additional 400 tents for the tent city to accommodate more evacuees should Kanlaon Volcano erupt again.
The declaration of Alert Level 4, from the current Alert Level 3, would mean an extension of the permanent danger zone up to 10 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Tongson said that only 300 of the 390 family tents sent by the Office of Civil Defense were installed on the nine-hectare tent city.
Based on his discussion with La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor- Mangilimutan, he said it would be easier and more comfortable if one evacuated family will also occupy only one tent.
It is ideal that they should also come from one barangay if the alert level is raised, Tongson added.
La Castellana, with several barangays situated at the foot of Kanlaon Volcano, is projected to be the worst-hit local government unit should another eruption happen.
Also, the cities of Bago, La Carlota and San Carlos in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental surround the volcano, aside from Murcia and La Castellana towns. | GB
