A resident holding an umbrella stands in a lot near their house at the foot of Mount Kanlaon volcano in a village in La Castellana, Negros Occidental on June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano erupted. Ferdinand Edralin, AFP/File 

Residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental are still prohibited to go back to the area, the Office of the Civil Defense in Central Visayas emphasized Thursday.

OCD Region 7 Director Joel Erestain in a televised briefing said this following alleged reports that some residents were allowed to return.

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"Nakikita ko po du'n yung mga iba na sinasabing mga pinauuwi, eh kasi malayo na talaga sila. Lagpas na sila sa 6-km radius. Siguro natamaan ng kaunting ashfall pero dahil wala na doon sa area nila, kaya bumabalik. Pero within 6-km radius, wala po tayong pinababalik," he said in an interview. 

Erestain said members of the Philippine National Police are manning the danger zone round the clock. 

"Kung meron man lang silang gamit po sa mga bahay po nila, bibigyan lang sila ng pass, 'yan po ang napagkasunduan tapos aalis din kaagad," he added.

For now, Erestain noted that ashfall in Canlaon City remains minimal, citing the westward wind direction away from the city. 

Despite this, the Department of Health is on the ground to provide face masks and medical assistance to those in need.

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WORST CASE SCENARIO 

The OCD official also noted that they are preparing for possible worst case scenario where Mt. Kanlaon is placed under alert level 4 with the danger zone extended further up to 14 kilometers.

"Medyo kakaunti na lang po ang lupang masasakupan ng Canlaon City ang matitira lalong-lalo pa kapag nag-worst case scenario, aabot ng 14-kilometer danger zone, wala na po halos matitira sa Canlaon City," Erestain said.

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The OCD Region 7 is now coordinating with its neighboring municipalities in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental should there  be a need to transfer and house more evacuees from the city.

"Hindi naman po tayo umaasa lang like for example 'yung mga government buildings. Nagpe-prepare rin tayo ng tents na puwedeng i-deploy," the official added.  

NO AYUDA IN DANGER ZONE

While more residents in Canlaon City have evacuated, Erestain still urged residents who remain within the danger zone to evacuate and not be complacent.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure that all of you are taken care of," he said.

No financial aid will be given to residents who are still staying inside the danger zone.

"'Yan po ang paalala sa kanila: wala po tayong bibigyang ayuda sa lahat po ng nasa loob. Kailangan po nilang lumabas bago po tayo magbigay ng atin pong ayuda o food packs o tulong at pati na rin ang pagkain," Erestain noted. 

He added that the national government is also preparing financial assistance to affected residents to be coursed through local government units.

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