The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has authorized farmers in Negros Island to harvest their sugarcane crops within a 6-kilometer radius of the active Kanlaon Volcano. This decision comes after a reduction in carbon emissions from the volcano, allowing for a temporary window for farmers to work within the danger zone under strict supervision. The move aims to balance the safety of evacuees with the need to sustain the livelihoods of farmers during the harvest season.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has granted permission to farmers in Negros Island to harvest their sugarcane crops within a 6-kilometer radius of the active Kanlaon Volcano . Donato Sermeno III, the regional director for Negros Island Region, stated that the local government of La Castellana had requested the OCD to allow farmers to enter the danger zone for a limited harvest period. Farmers are permitted to work within the designated zone from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
under the watchful eye of the Regional Incident Management Team. The OCD emphasized that this supervised farming activity aims to balance the safety of evacuees with the need to sustain the livelihoods of farmers, particularly during the crucial harvest season.\This decision was made following an advisory from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, which reported a reduction in carbon emissions from Kanlaon Volcano in recent days. Sermeno clarified that other localities affected by the danger zone, such as La Carlota City and Bago City, could also apply to the Task Force to temporarily suspend the ban on human activities within the volcano's radius. While the exact number of farmers who will enter the danger zone remains unknown, Sermeno emphasized that the primary focus is on ensuring their safety in case of another eruption. He added that not all farmers seeking to harvest their crops are located within the 6-kilometer danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano.\Strict monitoring and coordination measures are in place to guarantee the safety of farmers during their activities. Meanwhile, Albert Barogo, the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), highlighted that the ongoing unrest of Mount Kanlaon poses a significant threat to approximately 16,000 farmers across five localities on Negros Island. Barogo stated that the eruption on December 9th, 2024, has directly impacted 7,171 farmers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, and 8,841 farmers in La Carlota City, La Castellana, Bago City, and Murcia in Negros Occidental. Barogo confirmed that this data has been validated by respective local government units. In a separate development, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno stressed the importance of effective 24-hour communication channels with local leaders surrounding Mount Kanlaon, which is currently under Alert Level 3. Nepomuceno met with key officials and local leaders, including Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, last week to discuss safety measures and heightened risks associated with the volcano's activity. He assured the public that the OCD has maintained constant communication with local leaders since the December eruption, actively monitoring the situation daily and ensuring seamless information flow about the evacuees and affected areas.
Agriculture Kanlaon Volcano Philippines Farmers Harvest Danger Zone Civil Defense Volcanic Eruption Agriculture Livelihood Safety
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