In Bago City, Negros Occidental, the construction of a temporary housing solution for those displaced by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon is advancing. The ‘bahay kubo’ or nipa hut village, located at the Payag Sang Kapag-on Village in Barangay Napoles, is designed to offer shelter to families affected by the volcanic activity. As of the latest update, 33 out of the planned 50 units have been erected, complete with essential electrical installations such as underground cables, LED lights, switches, and outlets. Efforts are also underway to install septic tanks for portable toilets to maintain sanitation standards within the village.
This initiative is part of Bago City’s broader strategy to manage potential escalations of Mt. Kanlaon’s activity, which remains at Alert Level 3 following a significant eruption on December 9, 2024. The city is preparing for the possibility of the alert level rising to 4, which would necessitate further evacuations. Currently, 23 families, totaling 50 individuals, who live within the six-kilometer danger zone around the volcano, are still housed in evacuation centers.
Dr. Merijene Ortizo, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, emphasized the resilience and suitability of nipa huts as a more durable alternative to tents. She noted that these structures are designed to ensure privacy and natural ventilation for the residents while promoting a sense of community. Since last month, the Office of Civil Defense Regional Incident Management Team, along with the Department of Health and the Bureau of Fire Protection, have been overseeing the development of this relocation site.