Over 300,000 Bacolod Residents Face Ashfall Risk

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) projected that 309,619 residents, nearly half of the city’s population, may face risks from ashfall if Kanlaon Volcano erupts.

Barangay Estefania is expected to have the highest number of affected residents, with 42,341 individuals at risk. Barangay Mansilingan follows with 27,526 residents, and Barangay Taculing with 26,486. Conversely, Barangay 24 is projected to be the least affected, with only 21 residents at risk.

These projections were presented during a Jan. 9 meeting of the CDRRM Council, which focused on preparedness measures for a potential eruption and support for neighboring local government units (LGUs) likely to be impacted.

Evacuation and Preparedness Plans

To address the risks, the CDRRMO is mobilizing search, rescue, and retrieval teams, alongside medical teams. They are also ensuring the distribution of food and non-food items, transportation, and logistical support.

Two evacuation centers have been prepared—one in Barangay Taculing and another in Barangay Vista Alegre. The Taculing center will double as the command hub for operations.

In terms of resources, the city has readied 103 sacks of rice, 5,560 sachets of coffee and cereals, 6,673 canned goods, 840 bottles of water, 600 packs of biscuits and crackers, 1,000 water containers, 200 hygiene kits, 200 sleeping kits, and 300 folding beds.

CDRRMO head Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan noted that these figures are still subject to verification by barangay officials. She emphasized that the likelihood of ashfall in Bacolod depends on wind direction during the eruption.

Augmentation Efforts in Canlaon City

Meanwhile, 100 individuals will augment personnel managing evacuation centers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, starting Jan. 13.

Edna Lhou Masicampo, the city’s public information officer, said the new personnel, sourced from various government offices, completed a two-day crash course on camp management last week. The training was condensed from five days to accommodate urgent needs.

Masicampo highlighted that the existing camp managers have been working non-stop for 31 days, leading to exhaustion. The new deployment will allow these managers a week-long rest.

Despite some evacuees expressing concerns about the personnel change due to their rapport with current managers, the city government assured them of continuous support and care.

“Our mayor is very proactive with the evacuees’ situation,” Masicampo said, adding that Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas personally meets with evacuees to explain ongoing measures.

The city is also finalizing a list for financial assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to support displaced workers affected by the eruption.

As Kanlaon Volcano threatens to erupt, Bacolod City braces for widespread ashfall. Authorities emphasize readiness through evacuation plans, resource allocation, and augmentation of camp personnel in neighboring Canlaon City, ensuring the well-being of affected communities.