The government is prepared for the worst-case scenario following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said evacuation centers are being readied in case the the alert level is raised further. Current alert level is 3.
If it reaches Alert Level 4, an additional 10,000 people may need to be evacuated, bringing the total to 64,000, up from the current 54,000.
Alejandro also urged local government units to develop a proper evacuation system and ensure that family food packs, water, and sanitation facilities are ready for evacuees.
“So kailangan naka-ready na ang family food packs, evacuation center, wash facilities, tubig, [at] liguan. Kailangan talaga magkaroon na ng proper planning doon sa local government at iyong sustainability doon sa mga evacuation centers,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Alejandro assured that resources would be provided to address any gaps in the response efforts for Mt. Kanlaon victims.
Evacuation centers, he added, are equipped with necessary supplies to serve as temporary shelters for displaced families. This would encourage people to evacuate, knowing they have a place to stay, cook, and meet sanitary needs.
“Our task now is really to prepare the different evacuation centers and assure our local government leaders, yung ating communities na we are ready to receive them jointly with the local government units,” according to him.IMT
