La Castellana, Negros Occidental residents warned vs fake news on Kanlaon

Source: Manila Bulletin

BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan reminded the people of La Castellana in Negros Occidental to be vigilant following the circulation of false information on the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano on social media on Thursday, June 6.

MAYOR Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan explains to the people of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, through a Facebook live video, the threat of lahar to some areas in the town, particularly within the four- to six-kilometer danger zone, while Kanlaon volcano remains under Alert Level 2. (Screengrab from Arangka La Castellana Facebook)

Alleged reports on the escalation of the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 spread on social media on Thursday which caused panic to some residents in the town.

Mangilimutan isssued an executive order to all municipal employees to refrain from giving media interviews and any unverified information regarding the Kanlaon eruption.

She said that as the local chief executive, she is the only one authorized to give media interviews for transparency and accuracy of information.

For updates on Kanlaon, she authorized her representatives, Police Major Rhojn Darell Nigos, La Castellana police chief, John BF de Asis of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and Emily Tan of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MWSDO).

Mangilimutan said "this is to avoid false information, fake news, and avoid confusion and cause panic to the public."

Any violation of the mandate shall be dealt with accordingly as provided for by law and any other provisions applicable, she said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its advisory on Thursday night, reiterated to the public that they have not raised the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

In a Facebook live, Mangilimutan reiterated to the public that Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2.

The mayor explained the danger and threat of lahar to some barangays situated on the foot of the volcano.

Mangilimutan said that forced evacuation was imposed particulary in sitios on the foot of the volcano because the possibility of lahar is unpredictable due to heavy rains.

She said they need to get the people from these sitios, especially the elderly, women, and children, out as they may be trapped if another eruption or mudflow occurs.

"We don't know the volume of lahar that may be washed away by heavy rains. This is part of our preemptive measures," the mayor said, adding that they should not be complacent.

She said that they are closely monitoring the status of Kanlaon with Phivolcs.

Mangilimutan declared the resumption of work in government offices and agencies in the town starting on Friday, June 7.

She said there is a need for manpower in the distribution of relief goods and services, provision of medical care and humanitarian concerns, and in the delivery of public services to ensure the safety of affected families and individuals.