BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has reiterated his call to the remaining residents of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, particularly those in the four to six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, to leave their homes, following the increased ash emission observed from Kanlaon Volcano before noon on Monday, Dec. 23.
MAYOR Jose Chubasco Cardenas speaks to residents of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, in a Facebook video as dark ash emission rises in Kanlaon Volcano on Monday, Dec. 23. (Screengrab from Salta Canlaon Official video)
In a Facebook video posted on Salta Canlaon Official, Cardenas urged them to cooperate and follow safety protocols to achieve zero mortality rate.
“After we saw the ash emission, the siren was activated to inform the people of the volcano’s unrest. This is a practice in the city so that people will become reactive in case of an eruption,” Cardenas said as dark ash emission rises in the background.
Cardenas reminded residents to be aware of volcanic activities and stressed that the safety of everyone is the utmost priority.
“I am again calling to those who are still staying in the four- to six-kilometer PDZ to evacuate because of the ongoing volcanic unrest,” he said.
Cardenas said that all evacuation centers in the city are full and help from the government and other sectors is underway.
Forced evacuation has been imposed in Kalubihan, Bulong, Bubog, Upper Linothangan, and Cubay in Barangay Linothangan; Upper and Lower Mananawin, Matagbak, Manggabon, and Alabasi in Barangay Masulog; Upper and Proper Minabuntod, Upper Pula, Proper Pula, Villa Iowa, Compound, Upper and Proper Pantao, and Lower Pula in Barangay Pula; Mapot, Basecamp, and Everlasting-B in Barangay Maliba; and Repolyo in Barangay Lumapao.
A total of 5,821 individuals or 1,787 families are staying in 10 evacuation camps in Canlaon City as of Dec. 21. On the other hand, 538 families or 1,727 individuals are living outside evacuation centers.
The city lifted the liquor ban and the restriction on operating hours on Sunday, Dec. 22. However, the curfew for minors and enforcing precautionary measures in response to Kanlaon activities are still in effect.
Work in the city government and all classes have resumed. However, classes remain suspended in Barangays Masulog, Pula, Malaiba, and schools within the six-kilometer PDZ in Barangay Linothangan. Schools being utilized as evacuation centers are conducting alternative delivery modality.