A delegation from the Office of Civil Defense – Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) and the Regional Task Force Kanlaon (RTFK) conducted a site inspection on Friday, September 5, of proposed recovery and development projects in La Carlota and Moises Padilla.
Led by OCD-NIR Director Donato A. Sermeno III, the team evaluated projects for potential inclusion in the Kanlaon Recovery and Development Plan (KRDP). This effort is a crucial step in a comprehensive risk and damage assessment mandated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Sermeno said.
In La Carlota City, Sermeno met with Water District General Manager Homer Q. Bermudo to discuss a project focused on restoring the community’s water supply. The eruptions on June 3 and December 9 severely affected their water sources, and a new source is now considered essential for residents.
The delegation also visited Moises Padilla, where they were welcomed by Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and Vice-Mayor Pimpoy Yulo. The local officials highlighted a proposed bridge project, which they said would significantly improve evacuation routes and provide better access for emergency responders during future disasters.
These inspections support the development of the KRDP, a plan created under Administrative Order No. 32 from the Office of the President. The order established the National Task Force Kanlaon (NTFK) to coordinate government efforts in mitigating the impact of Mt. Kanlaon’s volcanic activities and to accelerate the recovery and resilience of affected communities, Sermeno said.*