BACOLOD CITY – The cities of Silay and La Carlota in Negros Occidental have partnered to strengthen disaster response and management for Kanlaon Volcano.
SILAY City Mayor Joedith Gallego (seated, left) and La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on (seated, second from left) sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to ensure close collaboration in disaster preparedness and emergency response for Kanlaon Volcano. (Mayor Joedith Gallego FB)
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego and La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to ensure close collaboration in disaster preparedness, resource sharing, evacuation planning, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery for Kanlaon.
Gallego said that by joining forces, they can enhance coordination, optimize resources, and provide immediate assistance to affected residents.
This is not just a formal agreement, it is a symbol of unity, resilience, and preparedness, he added.
Jalando-on said that the agreement reinforces both cities’ commitment to collaborate ensuring a more unified and effective approach during emergencies.
The Office of the Civil Defense plans to extend the Tent City concept to other areas like Silay in case Kanlaon reaches Alert Level 4 to accommodate more evacuees.
The province has almost 6,000 evacuees in various evacuation centers almost two months since the Dec. 9, 2024 eruption.
A minor explosion was reported on Feb. 6. Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano.