Himamaylan Tent City dismantled as Kanlaon alert drops

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The more than 300 tents set up at the Tent City in Himamaylan City will be temporarily taken down after Kanlaon volcano’s alert level was downgraded.

Task Force Kanlaon regional chairman Raul Fernandez told Capitol reporters in a phone interview Tuesday that the tents will be stored for safekeeping in Himamaylan for future use.

He said the tents had already been allocated to Himamaylan, allowing the city to use them in case of future disasters.

“For now, they can be taken down for safekeeping in preparation for any future calamities — there are more than 300 tents,” Fernandez said.

He added that the Tent City is effectively closed, as it was originally intended as a contingency measure in case the alert level rose to Level 4.

“Since it has now gone down to Level 2, it’s no longer necessary at this time,” he said.

He clarified that the land where Tent City was established falls under the jurisdiction of the Himamaylan City government.

“The Office of Civil Defense does not have direct control over the site,” Fernandez said, “but our memorandum of understanding remains in effect, allowing us to use the area as an alternate evacuation site for internally displaced persons or IDPs.”

He also clarified that the portable toilets at the site are owned by the LGU, while the tents were provided by the Office of Civil Defense.

Meanwhile, on the financial assistance pledged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to LGUs affected by the Kanlaon eruption, Fernandez said the process is ongoing and currently with the Department of Budget and Management.

“They are now in direct communication with the concerned LGUs,” he said.

Fernandez added that their current focus is to establish a permanent relocation site for families living within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone.

He said this includes 81 families — 45 from Kanlaon and 36 from La Castellana.

“That’s what we’re working on now — the establishment of a permanent relocation site, and later on, a permanent evacuation center in case Kanlaon’s alert level rises again,” Fernandez said.