President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government is on top of the situation amid the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
According to Marcos, the national government is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the safety of residents affected by the volcanic eruption.
Over 45,000 residents have been evacuated from the six-kilometer radius danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano. The government is targeting to evacuate 84,000 individuals.
“Ang matagal ng forward-deployed na relief items ng DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], tulad ng mga family food pack at non-food items, ay ibubuhos natin sa mga evacuation center. Kasama (rito) ang malinis na tubig, sleeping at hygiene kit,” said Marcos.
(The long-standing forward-deployed relief items from the DSWD, such as family food packs and non-food items, will be distributed to the evacuation centers. This includes clean water, sleeping bags, and hygiene kits.)
Kanlaon Volcano erupted on Monday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise its status to Alert Level 3.
In addressing the situation, the President instructed the Department of Budget and Management to release disaster funds and ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to continuously monitor the health situation and be on alert for diseases related to the eruption.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Negros Islands were likewise placed on high alert.
“Bago pa man sumabog ang bulkan ay pinaghandaan na ng ating NDRMMC at Office of Civil Defense ang pagtugon sa maaaring worst-case scenario,” he said.
(Even before the volcano erupted, our NDRMMC and the Office of Civil Defense had prepared for a possible worst-case scenario.)
“Dahil dito, nakatanod ang Task Force Kanlaon na magkokoordina ng tamang responde batay sa lakas ng pagsabog ng bulkan at pinsalang hatid nito,” the President said.
(Because of this, the Task Force Kanlaon is on standby to coordinate the appropriate response based on the strength of the volcanic eruption and the damage it may cause.)
Meanwhile, Marcos ordered Phivolcs to issue around-the-clock advisories on the volcanic eruption in “language that is clearly understood to all our kababayans.”
‘Nakikiusap ako sa lahat, lalo na sa ayaw lumikas, na sumunod sa babala ng ating mga awtoridad,” said Marcos.
(I urge everyone, especially those who are reluctant to evacuate, to heed the warnings of our authorities.)
“Mas mahalaga po ang buhay kaysa ari-arian,” he said.
(Life is more important than property.)
— RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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