OCD: Over 9,400 residents evacuated after Kanlaon Volcano eruption

A total of 9,403 individuals or 2,880 families have been evacuated so far in five cities and towns in Negros Occidental after the explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the OCD said 5,400 people or 1,686 families have left their homes in barangays Cabagnaan, Camandag, Sag-Ang, Biaknabato, Mansalanao, Masulog, Manghanoy, and Robles in the town of La Castellana.

In Bago City, 1,548 individuals or 385 families have been evacuated from barangays Mailum, Ilijan, Binubuhan, and Ma-ao.

La Carlota City also reported the evacuation of 2,019 people or 673 families from barangays Yubo and Ara-al.

In Pontevedra, 400 persons or 132 families have been evacuated from two barangays.

Meanwhile, in Moises Padilla, 36 individuals or four families from one barangay are now displaced due to Kanlaon Volcano’s activity.

“The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in La Castellana remains on standby for additional evacuees, as most families within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) have already evacuated, with some families also evacuating from the 7-kilometer area,” the OCD said.

“Bago City and La Carlota City have completed their evacuation efforts, with all families in the 6-kilometer PDZ having evacuated, and some families from the 7-8 kilometer PDZ also taking preemptive measures to evacuate,” it added.

According to the OCD, La Castellana needs food packs, noodles, and canned goods for around 34,000 individuals.

They also need chlorinators, aqua tabs (20,000), wash kits (1,000), hygiene kits (5,000), first aid kits (20), portalets (10), bathing facilities, modular tents (3,000), kitchen sets (500), sleeping kits (500), sakoline tarps (50 rolls), folding beds (500), bedding (2,000), and face masks.

Bago City also needs face masks and water, the OCD said.

“The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) activated the Incident Command System, established a community kitchen, deployed responders to affected areas, and set up five evacuation camps," the OCD said.

The Department of Health (DOH) provided hygiene kits and jerrycans to the affected residents.

On Monday, Kanlaon Volcano had an explosive eruption that lasted 3 minutes and 55 seconds, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The OCD initially said that around 87,000 individuals are set to be evacuated from their homes amid the activity of Kanlaon Volcano. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News