A substantial P1 billion plan to establish permanent evacuation sites for communities threatened by Kanlaon Volcano’s activity is now on the hands of the national task force for approval.
Regional Task Force Kanlaon head, Raul Fernandez, revealed that the final decision and funding allocation rest with the national task force, established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The plan, envisions to provide permanent evacuation sites for approximately 35,000 families in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, and La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Canlaon City’s proposal centers on utilizing container vans for housing at a site in Barangay Binalbagan, situated about 15 kilometers from the volcano’s summit. The estimated cost for this site is roughly P500 million. Similarly, La Castellana’s proposed site in Barangay Manghanoy carries a comparable budget. However, Fernandez highlighted a critical concern: the proposed La Castellana location may still fall within the danger zone.
La Castellana needs to identify a site certified by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as truly safe, Fernandez stressed.
These sites will serve as dedicated havens when alert levels necessitate evacuations, ensuring minimal disruption to education. Furthermore, the proposed facilities are designed for multi-purpose use, capable of hosting large gatherings like jamborees during periods of inactivity.
Beyond the large-scale evacuation sites, the plan also addresses the permanent relocation of 84 families who reside within Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone. This includes 36 families from La Castellana and 48 from Canlaon City, who will be permanently relocated to safer areas
