• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The municipal government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental has identified a relocation site for residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head John de Asis said on Friday (July 19) that the local government unit needs funds from the national government for the purchase of lots and construction of houses for the internally-displaced persons (IDPs).
The municipal government cannot afford it, he added.
De Asis reported that there are still 15 families composed of 50 individuals staying at the evacuation centers in Barangays Biak Na Bato and Masulog, more than a month after being displaced by the phreatic eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on June 3.
He said that they are being allowed to work on their farms inside the permanent danger zone in the morning, but have to return to the evacuation centers in the afternoon.
On Thursday, Raul Fernandez, head of the Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas, said that they are coordinating with other government agencies to initiate the relocation of residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon.
“One of the challenges is the cost of relocation. Our local government units cannot afford the budget for that so we are seeking the assistance of the involved national government agencies to come up with a plan on how they can relocate and support those who will be displaced and are dependent on agriculture in Mt. Kanlaon,” Fernandez said in an interview on Thursday, July 18.
He said these agencies include the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture.
Kanlaon volcano remains on Alert Level 2.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged a single volcanic quake in the past 24 hours, and recorded 2,329 tons of sulfur dioxide emission on July 18. | GB
