President Marcos to Kanlaon residents: Move to safer ground

MANILA, Philippines — As the threat of a more explosive or hazardous eruption in Kanlaon hangs, President Marcos yesterday appealed to residents living along the slopes of the volcano on Negros Island to move to safer ground, assuring them of continuous aid from the government.

“I am appealing to everyone, particularly those who refuse to evacuate, to heed the warning of the authorities,” Marcos said in a three-minute video message posted on social media. “Life is more important than property.”

Marcos made the appeal after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest, and a hazardous eruption is possible.

He said the government aims to evacuate 84,000 people, but so far, only over 45,000 have evacuated from the six-kilometer-radius danger zone.

‘Stop fake news about Kanlaon’

Marcos also asked the public to stop spreading fake news about Kanlaon Volcano.

“Truth will save lives. Fake news will kill,” he said. “Effective disaster response is anchored on reliable information.”

He said Phivolcs would continue to issue advisories around the clock “in a language that is clearly understood by all our kababayans.”

Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has given assurance that family food packs, non-food items, drinking water and hygiene kits are adequate and ready for distribution  in evacuation centers.

To help children and vulnerable people cope with the trauma caused by the eruption of Kanlaon, the DSWD is conducting story-telling and art activities in evacuation  centers.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said psychological first aid responders from the agency’s offices in Western and Central Visayas have been deployed in several evacuation centers.

Evacuees in La Carlota City in Negros Occidental were among the first to benefit from the activities conducted by the DSWD, in coordination with the local government.

The DSWD said humanitarian assistance worth more than P10.74 million has been provided to families affected by the calamity.

Marcos directed the Department of Budget and Management to release additional funds for the evacuees.

The Department of Health is ready to address illnesses that may be caused by volcanic ash, he said.

Marcos said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Task Force Kanlaon are ready to respond to the needs of affected residents.

“Even before the eruption, the NDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense have been preparing for the possible worst-case scenario,” he said.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection based on Negros Island are on heightened alert.

“We will step up. We will level up. Any escalation in damage and destruction will be met with a stronger government response,” the President said. — Sheila Crisostomo