OCD’s Ariel Nepomuceno calls for effective communication measures in Mt Kanlaon unrest

OCD’s Ariel Nepomuceno calls for effective communication measures in Mt Kanlaon unrest 

Canlaon City – Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Under Secretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno is calling for effective regular 24-hour communication measures with all the local leaders around the ongoing unrest of Mount Kanlaon, which is presently at Alert Level 3. 

Accompanied by key officials, Nepomuceno met with local leaders, including Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, last week to discuss the safety measures and the heightened risks associated with the volcano’s activity.

“The OCD has been in touch with our local leaders since the last December’s eruption and we are monitoring the situation daily. We always make sure that proper communication is being implemented from the situation of evacuees to the affected areas,” Nepomuceno said.

“The threat is still there in many areas that’s why we encourage everyone to be proactive and maintain a high level of focus on their safety and well-being,” he added. 

“We must absolutely ensure the safety of everyone by providing the people’s needs. We also assessed the situation of the evacuees.” 

There are nine affected areas in Negros Occidental especially near the permanent danger zone with pyroclastic density concurrent in La Castellana, while continuous ash falls have affected La Carlota, Bago, Murcia, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Valladolid, Puludpandan and Moises Padilla. 

During his visit, Nepomuceno also acknowledged the emotional and practical challenges faced by displaced families and reaffirmed the national government’s commitment under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to providing necessary support and resources. 

The OCD, according to Nepomuceno, had turned over a lot of hygiene kits, tarpaulins, house repair kits to the evacuees of Canlaon City and the Municipality of La Castellana, and the City of La Carlota. 

The implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH) and all Local Government Units (LGUs) for their all-out support to the people of Negros during the state of calamity. 

The OCD will also send water filtration machines and frozen meat as requested by the evacuees.