DSWD backs Kanlaon exodus plan
'The DSWD will ensure that the designated centers of these local government units are fully prepared and equipped to accommodate families and individuals who may need to evacuate.'
Photo courtesy of DSWD - Field Office 7
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said its Field Office (FO) 7 - Central Visayas is ready to support “Plan Exodus,” the contingency plan of the local government unit of Canlaon City should the volcanic activities of Mt. Kanlaon escalate into Alert Level 4.
Before the end of 2024, DSWD FO-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero said the FO remained on alert to monitor the situation in Canlaon City, with the intensified prepositioning of food and non-food items (FNFIs) in the agency’s warehouses and other storage facilities in Negros Oriental.
“DSWD 7 has remained steadfast in monitoring the situation in Canlaon City, ensuring that our responses are timely and effective. Furthermore, we have taken proactive measures by replenishing our warehouses and prepositioning sites in Negros Oriental with family food packs (FFPs) and NFIs ensuring the swift and efficient distribution of aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in case of an eruption,” Lucero said.
She added that a total of 40,122 boxes of FFPs and 8,948 NFIs amounting to almost P40 million have been prepositioned across the Negros Island.
The NFIs consist of family, hygiene, sleeping, and kitchen kits; modular tents; and laminated sacks, including Camp Management Kits, Women Friendly Space Kits (WFS), and Child-Friendly Space Kits (CFS).
The Canlaon City’s Plan Exodus will be activated in case Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest goes up to Alert Level 4, which will require the forced evacuation of residents living inside the 14-km radius from Mt. Kanlaon’s slope.
Nearby towns around Canlaon City, particularly Vallehermoso, Guihulngan City, La Libertad, Ayungon and Tayasan will open evacuation centers and host the evacuees.
DSWD FO-Central Visayas Disaster Response Management Division chief Lilibeth Cabiara explained that a team from Canlaon City and the DSWD Camp Coordination and Management Cluster will visit the evacuation centers to ensure their compliance with the required minimum standards.
“The DSWD will ensure that the designated centers of these local government units are fully prepared and equipped to accommodate families and individuals who may need to evacuate,” Cabiara said.