BACOLOD CITY -- One-hundred four families or 301 individuals were evacuated in four barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday, September 11, due to Kanlaon Volcano.
Evacuees were 78 families or 217 individuals in Barangay Masulog, three families or 13 individuals in Barangay Pula, 21 families or 62 individuals in Barangay Malaiba, and two families or nine individuals in Barangay Lumapao.
They are temporarily sheltered at Masulog High School, Pula High School, Malaiba High School, and Lumapao Covered Court, and one family is staying with their relatives.
Community kitchens have been set up in evacuation centers to enable evacuees to cook their own meals while barangays provided them with ingredients and social welfare personnel assisted them with meal preparations.
The local government has also placed transportation on standby in case further evacuation is needed.
Food packs, hygiene and kitchen kits, sleeping kits, and family kits have been provided to evacuees.
Mayor Jose Cardenas ordered on Tuesday, September 10, the mandatory evacuation of residents within the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
On September 11, Cardenas suspended classes on all levels from pre-school to college until further notice due to volcanic earthquakes and excessive sulfur dioxide emissions.
Cardenas stated in Executive Order (EO) No. 65 that the City Mayor's Office will coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to discuss alternative modes of learning to minimize educational disruptions.
He advised all school administrators to prioritize the safety and security of their facilities and prepare for any potential emergencies.
The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), city and barangay officials, government employees, and relevant agencies were instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and be prerared for immediate response.
Cardenas appealed for calm amid the ongoing unrest.
“I humbly ask everyone to remain calm but vigilant amidst the ongoing activity of Mount Kanlaon,” Cardenas said in a Facebook post.
He assured that they local are prepared for an eruption.
Let's keep ourselves informed and follow safety protocols, Cardenas said, as he enjoined the people to pray for protection.