The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is actively developing ‘Plan Exodus,’ a comprehensive evacuation strategy for Canlaon City residents in response to the increasing activity of Mt. Kanlaon. On January 7, 2024, the OCD announced that they are preparing for the possibility of a dangerous eruption from the volcano, which recently emitted a dark plume reaching 1.2 km high on December 23, 2023.
Joel Erestain, Director of OCD 7 in Central Visayas, revealed that the planning for this evacuation has been in discussion with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development since September of the previous year. The primary challenge, according to Erestain, is identifying suitable land for the evacuation of residents. He stressed the importance of preparing for a worst-case scenario, noting that Canlaon could be completely buried by volcanic activity.
Fortunately, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified temporary relocation sites. The OCD is also planning the logistics of moving residents out of the danger zone if the alert level is raised to 4, signaling an imminent hazardous eruption.
Erestain detailed the potential evacuation routes, mentioning that the road to Vallehermoso, a nearby town, is the most viable option for exiting Canlaon City. Other routes, such as those leading to La Castellana, San Carlos, and Benedicto, were considered but deemed unsuitable for various reasons.