In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, over 6,000 evacuees remain displaced due to the persistent threat of a major eruption from Mt. Kanlaon, as stated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 6 on Tuesday. The safety of residents is the primary concern, with OCD-6 Director Raul Fernandez emphasizing the ongoing magmatic activities of the volcano. He warned of the potential for a first-time major eruption, drawing parallels to the devastating effects of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption and subsequent lahar flows.
Fernandez, who also leads Task Force Kanlaon, highlighted the danger of pyroclastic materials that could spread over a 14 km radius or more during a significant eruption. He stressed the high speeds at which lahar can travel, posing further risks to the area.
Canlaon City’s information officer-designate, Edna Masicampo, confirmed that Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas endorses the OCD’s decision and is seeking additional aid from provincial and national levels. The mayor has outlined a comprehensive plan for a potential city-wide evacuation in the event of an Alert Level 4, covering essentials like food, transportation, housing, and more.
Mayor Cardenas has also requested Governor Manuel Sagarbarria to provide PHP5,000 in cash assistance to each displaced individual. Meanwhile, OCD 7 Director Joel Erestain noted that the only feasible evacuation route from Canlaon City leads to Vallehermoso.
As of Monday evening, 1,375 families, totaling 4,406 individuals, were housed in 10 evacuation centers, while 646 families, comprising 2,024 individuals, were staying with relatives. Fernandez advised evacuees to register with authorities and permitted daytime visits to their farms, with a mandatory return to evacuation camps by 4 p.m. to facilitate emergency response efforts in case of a daytime eruption.