In response to the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has launched a critical evacuation effort for around 87,000 people living in the vicinity of the volcano. The operation was set in motion after the volcano erupted on Monday afternoon, prompting immediate action from local authorities.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has mobilized the Inter-agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) to manage the response. He has mandated that all member agencies report in person to the NDRRM Operations Center starting December 10 to streamline the coordination efforts.
The situation is particularly dire in La Castellana, where approximately 46,900 residents are located within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano, considered a high-risk zone. Special attention is being given to Barangay Sag-ang, where the westward wind direction increases the risk of ashfall.
Urgent transportation is required to evacuate residents from Barangay Cabagnaan and other nearby areas including Himamaylan, Hinigaran, Isabela, Pontevedra, and Moises Padilla. A staging area has been set up in front of the La Castellana municipal hall, and schools, which have suspended classes, are being used as temporary shelters.
In preparation for a potential escalation, Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been designated as the main evacuation center, capable of housing up to 30,000 people. Water tanks are being strategically placed in these centers to ensure a steady supply of water.
The OCD is actively deploying resources, including 2,100 face masks and 1,000 family hygiene kits to Bacolod City, and has requested a water filtration truck from the OCD Rapid Deployment Team. The impact of the eruption extends to Guimaras and Bago City, where ashfall and sulfur odors have been reported, necessitating ongoing evacuations.
In Bago City, there is a pressing need for face masks and additional support for evacuees. No evacuation orders have been issued yet for San Carlos City, although La Carlota City has reported minor ashfall and sulfur odors.
In Negros Oriental, 50 families have been moved to Española Memorial School, and forced evacuations are affecting about 1,800 families or 5,000 individuals across five barangays within a 6-km danger zone.
The OCD has established Task Force Kanlaon, led by Regional Director Raul Fernandez, to manage operations in both Western Visayas (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7). Additional support from the 303rd and 302nd Infantry Divisions is being provided to aid in the evacuation process.
Evacuation centers have been set up in various locations including Barangay Lag-asan in Bago City, Brgy. Tabao in Sagay City, Brgy. Rizal in San Carlos City, Barrio Vista Alegre in Bacolod City, Brgy. Hilamonan in Kabankalan City, Brgy. Sibucao in San Enrique, Brgy. Ill in Himamaylan City, Brgy. Taculing in Bacolod City, Moises Padilla, Brgy. Cubay in La Carlota, and Sitio Canlayuhan in Sipalay City.
As the situation evolves, the OCD continues to coordinate the distribution of essential supplies such as face masks, food packs, and mobile kitchens to support those displaced by the eruption. The primary concern remains the safety and well-being of the affected communities.