OCD-supported Himamaylan Tent City prepares for evacuees: 300 tents meet up; Utilities underway

The Himamaylan Tent City, supported by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), has successfully established 300 family tents, ready to provide shelter for evacuees as the threat from Kanlaon Volcano escalates.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the commitment to a whole-of-government approach, stating, “Under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and NDRRMC Chair and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., we are mobilizing all available resources to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the Kanlaon eruption. Our goal is to give them a sense of normalcy as they navigate this difficult situation.”

While the tent city is prepared, the installation of essential utilities is currently underway to ensure a safe environment for families displaced by volcanic activity.

Located in Treepark, Barangay III (Poblacion), approximately 67 kilometers from the volcano’s summit, the tent city is designated to house evacuees from neighboring local government units should the alert level for Kanlaon Volcano continue to rise. The 300 tents are part of a larger allocation of 1,350 tents delivered to Negros Occidental from the OCD Central Office earlier this year, with support from USAID Philippines through the World Food Programme. An additional 90 tents are reserved in case of damage.

The site has also seen the development of crucial facilities, including a water system with two tanks, a toilet with a bathroom, and functional roads for easy access. Ongoing work includes the installation of electricity and lighting posts, with occupancy dependent on the completion of these utilities and updates from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Following an explosive eruption on December 9, 2024, local government units were advised to evacuate a 6-kilometer radius from the volcano’s summit and prepare for additional evacuations if necessary. Currently, thousands of families are sheltered in various evacuation centers across Bago City, La Carlota City, and La Castellana.

Local government units, alongside the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), are coordinating efforts to manage the tent city. Security will be provided by a joint force of local police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, ensuring a safe environment for all residents.

Beneficiaries will receive critical support services, including food, water, and access to basic utilities, alongside government assistance in education, livelihood, and health. As the community prepares for the possibility of further eruptions, the Himamaylan Tent City stands ready to provide a secure and supportive environment for evacuees.* (OCD)