Gov’t to build tent city as Kanlaon Volcano lava flow not ruled out

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government is building a tent city in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental as volcanic activity there could take a turn for the worse.

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano, but with the volcano remaining restive, scientists could push the alert levers closer to the tip of a five-point scale.

“We are preparing for a heightened alert level... Preparations are underway in Himamaylan City, where we are establishing a tent city in anticipation of a possible escalation,” Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas Director and Regional Task Force Kanlaon Chairperson Raul Fernandez said on Thursday, Dec. 26.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the potential scenarios for Kanlaon Volcano are lava flow, violent eruption, or a plateau in volcanic activity.

Fernandez said “previous eruptions could likely lead to a lava flow,” based on assessments.

For Negros Oriental, Vallehermoso and Guihulngan City are the possible locations for the proposed tent city.

“Currently, the threat of lahar is minimal, as the volume of materials is not positioned along waterways. While the situation is not alarming, we are taking necessary precautions," Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, about 9,000 families have been displaced in Negros Occidental amid the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano and the inclement weather.

Based on government figures, around 7,000 families have been affected by Kanlaon’s eruptions while 2,305 households are suffering the effects of a severe thunderstorm and shear line, or the convergence of cold and warm air masses.

Volcanic plumes and ash spanned across a wide swath of villages - from Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and San Carlos.

Those affected by the weather system, meanwhile, are from Cadiz City, Manapla, Sagay City, and Victorias City.