BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has expressed concern about the long-term viability of tent cities for Kanlaon Volcano evacuees.
LACSON
“I’d like to hear from him personally – what is the plan? How are we going to maintain them in a tent city? Is it the responsibility of the local government unit (LGU)?” said Lacson, referring to Raul Fernandez, Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas chief who has proposed tent cities for the evacuees.
Family tents from OCD-Western Visayas started arriving in the province on Friday, Jan. 10, for set up in Himamaylan City in preparation for a possible eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
The OCD-Western Visayas had earlier identified Himamaylan as a possible place for a tent city in the province.
Lacson also aired concern over the P15.3-billion projected allocation for evacuees if the alert level is raised to four. “I wanna know where that's gonna come from? Is that a commitment also of the OCD,” he said.
The projected amount for only 30 days was based on the data population of the Philippine Statistics Authority and covers the evacuation of 89,600 families composed of 124,000 individuals in the seven to 10-kilometer radius surrounding Kanlaon.
Lacson said that the OCD might have talked to concerned LGUs but he has yet to sit down with the agency regarding the matter. These are the things I’d like to hear from the OCD, he added.
Lacson said the province continues to follow the guidelines under Alert Level 3 for Kanlaon and emphasized that the decision to allow residents outside the six-kilometer radius to return home rests with the concerned LGUs.
The governor said that many Internally Displaced Individuals are eager to return home. “It’s becoming more difficult to explain to them why they need to stay in evacuation centers,” he said.
Lacson said that displaced families understand the risks and willing to evacuate again if needed. “It tells us they’re getting tired and feel they are better off back in their areas,” he added.