Capitol to buy 8-hectare La Castellana relocation site

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will proceed with the purchase of an eight-hectare property in La Castellana town as a permanent relocation site for internally displaced persons.

“Well, as far as La Castellana is concerned, we’re going to push through with the purchase of the eight-hectare property,” Lacson told reporters over the weekend.

He added that he has already coordinated with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“They are ready to help with the housing component,” Lacson said.

The property will be purchased at PHP180 per square meter.

Earlier, a composite team from the provincial government, DHSUD, and NHA, in coordination with the La Castellana local government, inspected the proposed relocation site in Barangay Talaptap.

The visit aimed to evaluate the site’s viability, socioeconomic feasibility, safety, accessibility, and compliance with national housing standards for residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano.

The project aims to offer affected households a permanent solution to the threat of volcanic hazards while ensuring a livable and sustainable community.

The composite team conducted various technical assessments, including drone surveying, soil and water sampling, and hazard identification.

According to the provincial government’s social media page, these evaluations are intended to ensure habitability and guarantee adequate living conditions for future residents.

The Regional Incident Management Team also observed the field visit.

The inspection reflects the province’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its constituents and delivering proactive, long-term solutions to the persistent threat posed by Kanlaon Volcano.

Lacson earlier said the plan to establish a permanent relocation site remains, despite the lowering of Kanlaon Volcano’s alert status.

On July 29, 2025, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) downgraded the volcano’s alert level from 3 (magmatic unrest/high volcanic unrest) to 2 (moderate volcanic unrest).

“What’s important is that we’re close to finalizing the sale for a relocation site,” he said.

Lacson confirmed that the site will cover areas beyond the permanent danger zone.

“We will have enough space, even up to six kilometers,” he added.

With the site secured, Lacson said evacuations may no longer be necessary even under Alert Level 3.

“That is the ideal situation we would like to see in the future,” he said.