The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office 6 is asking the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to declare Kanlaon Volcano’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone as a Strict Protection Zone, Raul Fernandez, Office of Civil Defense 6 head, said Thursday, Oct. 24.
A Strict Protection Zone would strictly prohibit living or farming in the area, which means all human activities will be prohibited, Fernandez, who is also the RDRRMC chair, said.
The RDRRMC passed a resolution on Tuesday, Oct. 22, recommending that the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park PAMB issue the declaration.
Fernandez said the declaration will be their legal basis for seeking assistance from the national government to relocate and provide homes for affected families.
PAMB data shows that there are still about 50 to 60 households in the 4-km permanent danger zone, he said.
The La Castellana local government reported that there are only 15 families in the permanent danger zone in barangays Masulog and Biak na Bato, he added.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will look into how it can assist La Castellana in its relocation efforts.*