BACOLOD City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) urged evacuees in Negros Island to stay in evacuation centers for the Christmas holidays due to the continued restiveness of Mount Kanlaon.
OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing safety while the volcano remains restive.
“Mga mahal na residente sa loob ng extended six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) ng Mt. Kanlaon, mangyari lamang na manatili sa mga evacuation center at huwag munang bumalik sa inyong mga tahanan. Ang inyong kaligtasan ang aming pangunahing layunin,” Nepomuceno said on Thursday night, December 19.
He further sought the residents’ cooperation, cautioning that attempts to return home during this period of unrest could be dangerous.
“Sa oras ng posibleng pagsabog ng Bulkang Kanlaon, walang mangyayaring pagsagip sa mga nasa loob ng permanent danger zone. Kaya’t mahalaga ang inyong pakikipagtulungan,” he said.
The OCD administrator also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting those in evacuation centers and urged all residents to remain vigilant and stay informed through official channels to ensure their safety during this critical time.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 reported that as of Friday, December 20, 7,129 families or 23,384 individuals were affected by the Mount Kanlaon eruption in Negros Occidental, including Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and San Carlos City.
Of this population, 2,919 families or 8,635 individuals remain in 22 evacuation centers, while 1,538 families or 4,938 individuals have sought temporary shelter with their relatives or friends. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)