Marcos forms task force to aid victims of Kanlaon Volcano eruption
FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from the official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of a task force to lead in providing the necessary aid to families affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental.
Marcos made the pronouncement on Friday after conducting a situation briefing in La Carlota, Negros Occidental, tackling the effects of Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption in the province.
“Essentially, because of all the plans that the local government officials have given us, we are going to consolidate it and we are forming a task force that will be led by OCD (Office of Civil Defense),” Marcos said in an interview with reporters.
“Kasi there are many – maraming agencies ang kasama dito sa mga pinaplano natin. So, that’s what we have discussed and that’s what we – iyan ang ways forward namin,” he added.
(Because there are many – many agencies are included in what we are planning. So, that’s what we have discussed and that’s what we – that’s our ways forward.)
Article continues after this advertisementAmong the plans discussed, according to Marcos, include proposals to build a permanent evacuation center outside Kanlaon Volcano’s danger zone.
Article continues after this advertisementMarcos also discussed with local executives and provincial leaders how to relocate residents living within the danger zone.
“Para kahit na anong gawin ng Kanlaon mayroong pupuntahan ang tao and they can continue to make a living, may hanapbuhay pa rin sila, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung kanilang [buhay],” he said.
(So that no matter what Kanlaon does, people have a place to go and they can continue to make a living, they still have a job, their life will still continue.)
The President said he also ordered relevant agencies to continue all the assistance being provided to families affected by the volcano’s eruption.
READ: Phivolcs: Kanlaon showing signs of another eruption
Kanlaon Volcano last erupted on Dec. 9, producing a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest.
Earlier this year, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also warned of an abrupt increase in Mt. Kanalon’s ground deformation that could lead to another sudden eruption.
