Permanent resettlement sites for residents of two cities and one town in Negros Occidental whose homes are located in the Kanlaon Volcano danger zone are being planned, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Monday, Jan. 6.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson will meet with mayors Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Rex Jalandoon of La Carlota City and Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan of La Castellana at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday to tackle their permanent solution proposals, Diaz said.
The first priority for permanent relocation will be those living in Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone, he said.
The second priority will be residents within the 6-kilometer expanded danger zone living in remote areas that are difficult to reach for swift evacuation, Diaz said.
Diaz said with the uncertainty of an eruption at Kanlaon residents living in evacuation centers need to be relocated to permanent areas.
The local government units will come up with relocation sites and the provincial government will help provide assistance for the construction of the homes, he said.
The roofs of the houses of some of the evacuees have been destroyed by the corrosive ash emissions from the volcano, he said.
The evacuees have no privacy and personal space at the evacuation centers, we need to address their social, economic and psychological needs, Diaz said.
Livelihood intervention and the education of the children need to be addressed, he added.
He also said classes cannot be held in schools being used as evacuation centers, which must be addressed.
Resettlement areas with farm lots are being eyed as a sustainable solution, he said.
Diaz said the P50 million provided by the president could be sourced for the resettlement plan, he added.
Meanwhile, the provincial government’s 14-day commitment to provide meals for the Kanlaon evacuees ended on Monday.
The local government units will take over since their funds have been replenished for the New Year, he said.
But the provincial government’s community kitchens with cooks and LPG burners will continue to operate, but this time with the ingredients for the meals coming from the LGUs, he said.*