Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has issued a critical evacuation order for residents living near Mt. Kanlaon, specifically targeting those in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental. These areas fall within a six-kilometer radius deemed hazardous due to the volcano’s activity.
During a recent interview, Teodoro revealed that approximately 54,000 individuals are currently residing in the affected zones. He emphasized that the evacuation is no longer a precautionary measure but a mandatory one, stating, ‘This is no longer a preemptive evacuation; it’s forced. However, we are still appealing to the people to comply, even though it’s mandatory.’
As the head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Teodoro indicated that the current Alert Level 3, set after the volcano’s eruption on December 9, is expected to continue. He also mentioned preparations for a potential escalation to Alert Level 4, which could extend the danger zone to a 10-kilometer radius.
According to the latest reports from the NDRRMC Emergency Operations Center, a total of 1,686 families, or 5,400 individuals, have been evacuated from various barangays in La Castellana. Additionally, 385 families from Bago City, 673 families from La Carlota City, 132 families from Pontevedra, and four families from Moises Padilla have also been relocated. Overall, 2,880 families across five municipalities and 17 barangays have been affected by these evacuations.