A total of 9,403 individuals, or 2,880 families, have been evacuated from five cities and towns in Negros Occidental following the explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Tuesday.
The OCD stated that 5,400 people, or 1,686 families, from the towns of La Castellana have relocated from barangays including Cabagnaan, Camandag, Sag-Ang, Biaknabato, Mansalanao, Masulog, Manghanoy, and Robles.
In Bago City, 1,548 individuals, or 385 families, have been evacuated from barangays Mailum, Ilijan, Binubuhan, and Ma-ao.
La Carlota City also reported evacuations, with 2,019 individuals, or 673 families, leaving barangays Yubo and Ara-al.
Pontevedra saw the evacuation of 400 people, or 132 families, from two barangays, while in Moises Padilla, 36 individuals, or four families, from one barangay, have been displaced.
The OCD mentioned that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in La Castellana remains on standby for further evacuees, as many families within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) have already left, with some also evacuating from the 7-kilometer zone.
Bago City and La Carlota City have completed their evacuations, with all families in the 6-kilometer PDZ relocated, and some families from the 7-8-kilometer PDZ taking precautionary evacuation measures.
The OCD highlighted the urgent need for food packs, hygiene supplies, and other essentials in the affected areas. La Castellana requires food for about 34,000 individuals, while Bago City is in need of face masks and water.
The Department of Health (DOH) has provided hygiene kits and jerrycans to the displaced residents.
Kanlaon Volcano erupted explosively on Monday for nearly 4 minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Initially, the OCD had estimated that up to 87,000 individuals might need to be evacuated due to the ongoing volcanic activity.