In preparation for the worst-case scenario of Mt. Kanlaon raised to Alert Level 4, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 has joined representatives from the Canlaon City Government in assessing identified evacuation centers in the Municipality of Ayungon and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental on January 5, 2025.

The assessment team includes the DSWD 7 Quick Response Team Camp Coordinator Mildred Abela, Canlaon City Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Engr. Judith Artigas, and Social Welfare Officer Earl Vergara.

The team assessed four evacuation centers in Ayungon and eight in Guihulngan City.

The notes and results of the assessment will be presented to the Incident Management Team, which Mayor Cardenas chaired, for approval or disapproval, considering the welfare and well-being of the affected internally displaced persons and other logistical and administrative matters.

In December 2024, the LGU of Canlaon and DSWD Field Office 7 assessed evacuation centers in the Municipality of Vallehermoso, where they immediately conducted a simulation activity following the completion of their Crash Course Orientation on the Camp Coordination and Camp Management and Internally Displaced Persons Protection Crash.

Based on Canlaon City Contingency Plan and Oplan Exit Operations During Uncertainties Strategy (EXODUS), if Mt. Kanlaon volcanic eruption reaches Alert Level 4, neighboring areas such as Ayungon, Guihulngan City, La Libertad, Tayasan, and Vallehermoso have been identified to open their evacuation centers and host the internally displaced persons from Canlaon City.

In the event of a Volcanic Alert Level 4 or Hazardous Eruption Imminent, with a permanent danger zone of 4-6 km and affecting more families, the internally displaced persons from Canlaon City will be transferred to a much safer camp.

Meanwhile, economic activities are put on hold to prioritize and ensure everyone’s safety.

For the first round of deployment, DSWD Field Office 7 has deployed 465 trained personnel for augmentation support.

As of January 6, DSWD Field Office 7 is on its second round of deployment, highlighting DSWD’s dedication to proactive disaster response, effective resource management, and seamless coordination with local and provincial government units and response clusters. These efforts aim to strengthen the readiness of response teams and ensure that essential services reach the internally displaced persons promptly. ###

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