The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is fully prepared to comply with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to establish a national task force aimed at addressing the immediate and long-term needs of communities affected by the recent eruption of Kanlaon volcano.
The task force will consist of key government agencies and local government units, focusing on a comprehensive redevelopment plan for impacted areas.
During a situation briefing held in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, President Marcos ordered the OCD to lead the national task force and advocated for the construction of permanent evacuation centers for displaced residents.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens is our top priority. The OCD has been closely monitoring the situation since the onset of the Kanlaon eruption and is ready to mobilize resources to ensure that all affected residents receive the support they need,” said OCD Administrator Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno.
“Our whole-of-government approach will be crucial in addressing and responding to the needs of those impacted,” he added, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to this initiative.
Nepomuceno also noted the proactive efforts of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, led by OCD regional directors, in finding effective solutions to the challenges faced by the affected communities.
“We are dedicated to not only providing immediate assistance but also ensuring that those affected can return to a normal life as quickly as possible. Our efforts will focus on building permanent evacuation centers outside the six-kilometer danger zone, as directed by the President,” he said.
Currently, 2,660 families or 8,509 individuals are being housed in 23 evacuation centers across Western and Central Visayas.
As the situation evolves, there is potential for an additional 90,000 individuals to be evacuated if alert levels are raised, according to Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.
The government has already allocated P95.6 million in assistance and prepositioned P144.04 million worth of relief supplies for the impacted areas, which have been affected across 28 cities and municipalities.
As of February 19, the total cost of assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), NGOs, and local government units in Western and Central Visayas regions reached P199,608,351.26.
Additional P4,329,174.56 were provided by the OCD and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRRMOs) in the same regions.
