BACOLOD CITY – A total of 144 families or 431 individuals have been evacuated from five barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental due to Kanlaon Volcano as of Friday, September 13.
NEGROS Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria (center) and Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas (to the governor's left) visit residents displaced by Kanlaon Volcano in Canlaon City on Saturday, September 14. (Photo courtesy of Salta Canlaon)
They are composed 10 families or 31 individuals in Barangay Lumapao, 93 families or 264 individuals in Barangay Masulog, three families or 13 individuals in Barangay Pula, 33 families or 104 individuals in Barangay Malaiba, and five families or 19 individuals in Barangay Linothangan.
They were transferred to designated evacuation centers and are being provided with food, water, hygiene kits, face masks, personal supplies, and medical assistance.
“We are taking no chances," Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said as he stressed that the primary concern right now is the safety and well-being of residents, especially the evacuees.
He reassured the people of Canlaon that the local government remains fully committed to their safety and emphasized that all efforts are being taken to mitigate the risks posed by Kanlaon.
"I want to assure everyone that we are doing everything in our power to keep you safe during these challenging times,” Cardenas said.
He urged the people to remain calm and to work together as a community to overcome these challenges.
Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria visited an evacuation center in Canlaon City on Saturday and checked the situation of evacuees.
The provincial government has provided hygiene kits and will distribute 25 kilos of rice to each affected family in four barangays in Canlaon City identified as high-risk areas for the volcano.
Meanwhile, the Canlaon city government said ash fall from Kanlaon caused significant damage to high-value commercial crops, particularly vegetables, and affected 81 farmers.
Based on a partial damage assessment report on Friday, widespread crop destruction was reported in Barangays Lumapao, Masulog, and Pula.
The City Agriculture Office is assessing the damage.