La Castellana gets PHP 15.6 million lot for Kanlaon evacuees

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The provincial government of Negros Occidental has donated a PHP 15.6 million property intended as a relocation site for residents of La Castellana town displaced by the ongoing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano.

The 8.6-hectare property is located in Barangay Talaptap, according to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson during a media interview on Monday.

Lacson said the provincial government will leave the development of the property to the municipal government, noting that local officials are in the best position to determine the needs of their constituents — particularly families residing within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).

He added that once a development plan is in place, the local government unit may request assistance from the national government.

Around 30 families living within the four-kilometer PDZ have been affected by the series of activities of Kanlaon Volcano.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) had earlier proposed building an evacuation center in La Castellana.

However, Lacson clarified that the decision to allow its construction on the donated site ultimately rests with the municipal government.

While the OCD-Negros Island Region has approved the site, it earlier noted that road infrastructure improvements may be needed, as access currently passes through a hacienda.

The volcano last erupted on Feb. 19 and remains under Alert Level 2, indicating moderate unrest.