OCD calls for effective communication measures on Kanlaon unrest

Canlaon City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has recently urged local leaders to maintain constant communication channels as Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island remains on Alert Level 3, signifying increased unrest.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, during a meeting with local officials, including Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, stressed the need for 24/7 communication to effectively address the ongoing volcanic activity.

"The OCD has been in constant contact with local leaders since the eruption last December, and we are monitoring the situation daily," Nepomuceno said in a statement. "We ensure proper communication channels are in place, from the situation of evacuees to the affected areas."

"The threat remains in many areas, so we encourage everyone to be proactive and prioritize their safety and well-being," he added.

Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano in Negros Occidental, has been exhibiting increased unrest, prompting authorities to raise the alert level. Nine areas in the province are affected, particularly those near the permanent danger zone where pyroclastic density currents are possible.

Ashfall has been reported in La Castellana, La Carlota, Bago, Murcia, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Valladolid, Pulupandan, and Moises Padilla.

Nepomuceno acknowledged the emotional and logistical challenges faced by displaced families and reaffirmed the commitment of the national government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to providing necessary support and resources.

The OCD has distributed hygiene kits, tarpaulins, and house repair kits to evacuees in Canlaon City, La Castellana and La Carlota.

The agency expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DoH) and all local government units (LGUs) for their support to the affected communities.

The OCD will also provide water filtration machines and frozen meat to evacuees upon request.