THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is gearing up for “Plan Exodus,” a large-scale evacuation plan for the entire city of Canlaon as volcanic activity continues to escalate.
OCD Central Visayas Director Joel Erestain confirmed on January 7, 2025, that preparations have been in motion since September 2024, in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
“One of the challenges is finding land where we can safely evacuate our countrymen,” Erestain said. “It’s likely that this land will be outside Canlaon City, and we need to be ready.”
Erestain underscored the gravity of the situation, describing it as a potential “doomsday scenario” for the city.
“It is inevitable that Canlaon will be buried. We must prepare for the worst-case scenario. Fortunately, the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) has lands where we can temporarily relocate the affected population,” he added.
The OCD is also planning a systematic evacuation strategy should the alert level be raised to 4, signaling an imminent hazardous eruption.
“We’ve assessed various routes out of Canlaon City. The primary option is the road leading to Vallehermoso. While there are paths to La Castellana and San Carlos, these are either unsafe or impractical. Another route toward Benedicto was also evaluated, but it is not feasible. We’ve practically checked everything,” Erestain explained.
As preparations intensify, the OCD and other agencies are working against the clock to ensure the safety of Canlaon’s residents.