The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is considering expanding the permanent danger zone around Mount Kanlaon from six kilometers to ten kilometers, as a low-pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao could trigger lahar flows in the region.
OCD Western Visayas and Regional Task Force Kanlaon chairperson Raul Fernandez said in an interview over Bilyonaryo that the agency is planning to relocate evacuation centers outside the 14-kilometer radius to ensure the safety of evacuees.
He said as of now, over 99% of residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone, totaling 18,475 individuals, have been evacuated to 29 evacuation centers.
He said that based on the most recent assessment by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) the possibility of an explosive eruption remains significant.
In terms of support, he assured that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided sufficient food and non-food items to these centers. However, Fernandez appealed for more diverse food options and recreational materials for children, especially as the evacuation period may extend beyond the New Year.
Local government units are issuing passes to evacuees who need to temporarily return to their homes to tend to their livestock and farms.
