Raul Fernandez, Regional Task Force Kanlaon head*
The proposed permanent evacuation sites for residents affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest in Canlaon City and La Castellana town will cost about P1 billion, Raul Fernandez, Regional Task Force Kanlaon head, said on Thursday, Feb 27.
However, it will be up to the Kanlaon national task force created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make the final decision and source the funds, Fernandez said.
The proposed plan will have to be presented to the national task force for consideration and approval, he said.
Permanent evacuation sites are being proposed for about 35,000 families each in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and La Castellana in Negros Occidental that are expected to be the hardest hit by a major Kanlaon volcano eruption, Fernandez said.
Canlaon City is proposing to use container vans for shelter at a permanent evacuation site in Barangay Binalbagan, which is about 15 kilometers away from the summit of the volcano, he said.
Canlaon City’s proposal states that the permanent evacuation site is estimated to cost about P500,000, which would be about the same amount needed for La Castellana that would also have about 35,000 affected families, Fernandez said.
La Castellana in Negros Occidental has no permanent evacuation site yet. He said its proposed site in Barangay Manghanoy could still be within the danger area.
The town should identify a site certified by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as safe for use, he said.
The permanent evacuation sites will be used to house residents whenever an alert level is raised that requires residents to be relocated, so schools will no longer be used, he said.
The proposed permanent evacuation sites would have multi-purpose uses. They could be used as venues for large gatherings such as jamborees when not being used by evacuees, Fernandez said.
Meanwhile, permanent relocation sites will be established for 84 families from Canlaon City and La Castellana who will not be allowed to return to Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone, he said.
There are 36 families from La Castellana and 48 from Canlaon City affected, Fernandez said.*