During a visit to Canlaon City on January 15, 2025, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno met with evacuees displaced by the restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting those affected by the volcano’s activity.
Nepomuceno’s visit included discussions with key disaster management and local government officials, such as OCD Western Visayas Director Raul Fernandez, OCD Central Visayas Director Joel Erestain, and OCD Negros Island Director Donato Sermeno III. The purpose of their visit was to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation and to address the concerns and needs of the camp leaders.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas updated Nepomuceno on the current status of Mt. Kanlaon, which remains at Alert Level 3. This level signifies a high risk of a more violent eruption, with the possibility of escalating to Alert Level 4 due to ongoing volcanic activity, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Nepomuceno emphasized the national government’s dedication to supporting the evacuees and camp leaders, stating, “Our presence here is a testament to the national government’s dedication to ensuring that evacuees and camp leaders receive the guidance and assistance they need.”
He directly engaged with the evacuees and camp leaders, acknowledging the hardships they face, including the disruption of their daily lives and the uncertainty of the situation’s duration. Nepomuceno highlighted the safety measures in place, noting that those within one to six kilometers of the volcano are at risk and must be evacuated for their safety. He also mentioned preparations for a potential increase to Alert Level 4, which would extend the danger zone from six to ten kilometers, necessitating the evacuation of more people.
Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government is committed to providing ongoing assistance and addressing the needs of the evacuees. Nepomuceno promised to maintain regular communication with local leaders to ensure that these needs are met promptly.