The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday urged residents affected by the Kanlaon eruptions to exercise patience.
During a press conference held by the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (RIACC) regarding updates on Kanlaon’s eruptions, Raul Fernandez, chair of Task Force Kanlaon and Director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Western Visayas said the government is aiming for a zero causality.
“The government is facing the problem head-on and is batting for zero casualty. Nature is just testing our resilience,” the official said. He further emphasized the government’s commitment to support the eruption victims.
Fernandez reminded residents that returning to their homes within the six-kilometer extended danger zone remains unsafe, despite locals asserting their understanding of the volcano’s behavior. He pointed out that increased presence in the danger zone could unnecessarily expose more lives to risk.
When asked about the sustainability of evacuation centers, Fernandez highlighted the government’s efforts to meet the needs of evacuees since Kanlaon’s eruption in June of last year.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is actively providing food packs and hygiene kits to those displaced.
