Task force to be set up for long-term safety of Kanlaon residents
Kanlaon Volcano emits ash on Friday afternoon, February 28, 2025. (Screenshot of time-lapse footage of Phivolcs/Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to implement long-term plans to ensure the safety of residents near Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, which remains under alert level 3 or “intensified unrest or magmatic unrest.”
This will be done by organizing a National Task Force on Kanlaon, which will be headed by the Office of Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.
In a sectoral meeting, Marcos said the plan includes identifying safe evacuation sites and establishing permanent relocation areas for the residents.
READ: OCD: Permanent Kanlaon evacuation sites to cost P1 billion
He also stressed the need to move people out of danger zones and build large evacuation centers.
“That’s the one item we have to decide [on] — the location of the evacuation centers. Once again, let’s coordinate very closely with the local governments,” he said, as quoted in the statement.
“They already have some proposals. Tingnan lang natin kung talagang it’s scientifically correct in terms of the choice… And then [let’s see] how we regulate the rebuilding in the different towns,” he added.
Marcos also told agencies to continue supporting affected localities through good coordination between the national and local governments.
The state seismologist said seven volcanic earthquakes were recorded from Kanlaon Volcano from 12 a.m. on March 3 to 12 a.m. on March 4.
It has also released 2,312 tons of sulfur dioxide, while the volcano’s edifice remains inflated.
