Himamaylan City Chosen as Pilot Tent City for Kanlaon Volcano Evacuees
BACOLOD CITY – In a proactive move to address potential displacement caused by teh activity of kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has identified Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental as the pilot site for a tent City initiative. This project aims to provide temporary shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the event of an escalation to alert Level 4.
The decision was announced during a meeting between OCD-Western Visayas Regional Director Raul Fernandez and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. Fernandez emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating, “We are fully prepared, and all government agencies are working together to ensure that evacuees are provided with the support they need.”
A Step-by-Step Approach to Preparedness
The Tent City in Himamaylan will initially house 500 tents, with 395 already delivered and setup underway. The process is being meticulously executed to ensure the tents meet the necessary standards for evacuation centers. An inspection of the nine-hectare Tree Park in Himamaylan is scheduled for Friday, January 17, to finalize the layout.Fernandez highlighted the collaborative efforts between the provincial government of negros Occidental and local government units (lgus). “Responsibilities between the host LGU and affected LGU have been outlined in our discussions,” he said. A Memorandum of Agreement is also being drafted to formalize these partnerships,ensuring the tent City is utilized only under Alert Level 4 conditions.
Expanding the Initiative
While Himamaylan serves as the pilot site, the OCD plans to extend the Tent City initiative to other areas if necessary. Potential locations include Talisay, Silay, Kabankalan, Panaad Park, and Stadium in Negros Occidental, as well as vallehermoso and guihulngan in Negros Oriental.
Government Readiness Amid Uncertainty
Despite the unpredictable nature of Kanlaon Volcano’s activity, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno assured the public of the government’s readiness. “Our goal is to minimize the impact on families and communities and ensure their safety as we monitor Mount Kanlaon’s activity,” he said.
Key Points at a Glance
| aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Pilot Site | Himamaylan city, Negros Occidental |
| Initial Capacity | 500 tents |
| Tents Delivered | 395 |
| Inspection Date | January 17, 2024 |
| Potential Expansion Sites| Talisay, Silay, Kabankalan, Panaad Park, Stadium, Vallehermoso, Guihulngan |
| Alert Level Requirement | Alert Level 4 |
A Collaborative Effort for Community Safety
The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between government agencies and local communities. As preparations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of those possibly affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s activity.
For more updates on disaster preparedness and response efforts, visit the Office of Civil Defense’s official website. Stay informed and stay safe.
Himamaylan City Tent City Initiative: A Proactive Measure for Kanlaon Volcano Evacuees
As concerns rise over the escalating activity of Kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has designated Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental as the pilot site for a Tent City initiative. This project aims to provide temporary shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the event of an escalation to Alert Level 4. In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor Maria santos of world-today-news.com sits down with Dr. Juan Dela Cruz, a disaster management expert, to discuss the details of this initiative and its importance for community safety.
The Rationale Behind Choosing Himamaylan City
Maria Santos: Dr. Dela Cruz,why was Himamaylan City selected as the pilot site for the Tent City initiative?
Dr. Juan Dela Cruz: Himamaylan City was chosen due to its strategic location and available space. The nine-hectare Tree Park in Himamaylan provides ample area to set up the necessary infrastructure quickly. Additionally, the local government has shown strong commitment to disaster preparedness, making it an ideal starting point for this initiative.
Preparedness and Execution
Maria Santos: Can you walk us through the steps being taken to ensure the Tent City is ready?
Dr. Juan Dela Cruz: Certainly. The process involves meticulous planning and execution. Initially,500 tents are planned,with 395 already delivered and setup underway. An inspection of the Tree Park is scheduled for January 17 to finalize the layout and ensure the tents meet evacuation center standards. Collaboration between the provincial government and local government units (LGUs) is key, with responsibilities clearly outlined in ongoing discussions.
Potential Expansion Sites
Maria Santos: Are there plans to extend this initiative to other areas?
Dr. Juan Dela Cruz: Yes, while Himamaylan serves as the pilot site, the OCD plans to extend the Tent City initiative to other areas if necessary. Potential locations include Talisay, Silay, Kabankalan, Panaad Park, and Stadium in Negros Occidental, as well as Vallehermoso and Guihulngan in Negros Oriental. This expansion will ensure we are prepared to accommodate a larger number of evacuees if needed.
Government Readiness
Maria santos: How confident is the government in its readiness to handle a potential escalation?
Dr. Juan dela Cruz: The government, particularly the OCD, is highly confident in its readiness. OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno has assured the public that all agencies are working together to minimize the impact on families and communities. The goal is to ensure safety and well-being as we monitor Mount Kanlaon’s activity.
Collaborative Efforts
Maria Santos: How important is collaboration in this initiative?
dr. juan Dela Cruz: Collaboration is crucial.This initiative underscores the importance of cooperation between government agencies and local communities. A memorandum of agreement is being drafted to formalize these partnerships, ensuring that the Tent City is utilized only under Alert Level 4 conditions.This collective effort enhances our preparedness and response capabilities.
Final Thoughts
Maria Santos: Any final thoughts on the Tent city initiative?
Dr. Juan Dela Cruz: This initiative is a testament to proactive disaster management. By preparing in advance, we can significantly reduce the impact on affected families and communities. It’s a collaborative effort that highlights the importance of readiness and coordinated response in ensuring public safety.
for more updates on disaster preparedness and response efforts, visit the Office of Civil Defense’s official website. Stay informed and stay safe.
