BACOLOD CITY - The San Carlos City government in Negros Occidental is preparing three designated evacuation sites for Kanlaon Volcano evacuees.
Mayor Rene Gustilo, in a media interview on Tuesday, Feb. 18, said that the city is developing a two-hectare lot in Barangay Prosperidad, a three-hectare lot on a city property, and additional sites in Barangays Codcod and Quezon.
GUSTILO (FB)
Gustilo said they are willing to accommodate as many evacuees as they can.
One of the sites will be designated as temporary shelter for residents of Barangay Codcod, which could be impacted by a major eruption, while the other sites will primarily house evacuees from the nearby city of Canlaon in Negros Oriental, where the volcano is located.
Gustilo revealed lack of funding in the development of these areas. He emphasized the need to prioritize the installation of comfort rooms and a water system there.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has not committed tents to San Carlos City as it is still assessing the situation.
Gustilo expressed concern about the long-term sustainability of food supplies once evacuees are accommodated, saying that the city’s budget could be strained, leaving less for ongoing development projects.
Gustilo said that the city is exploring the possibility of “adopting” affected families from Canlaon City, who have relatives in San Carlos, and are gathering data.
According to the OCD, if the alert level is raised to Alert Level 4, which encompasses a six to 10-kilometer danger zone, more than 6,000 individuals or over 1,000 families in San Carlos City would be affected.
Though ashfall may hit some areas in San Carlos, Gustilo assured that the full effects of a major eruption would likely not affect the area directly.