President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the National Task Force Kanlaon that will oversee and coordinate all government programs, activities and projects (PAPs) to reduce the impact of volcanic activities and hasten the recovery of affected communities.
Under Administrative Order (AO) 32 signed by Marcos on Thursday, the Department of National Defense will serve as the chairperson of the task force, while the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will be the secretariat tasked to provide the necessary technical, administrative and operational support.
Other members include the departments of Science and Technology, Environment, Public Works, Social Welfare, Labor, Interior, and Health.
The task force will lead the implementation and monitoring of all PAPs for the resettlement, recovery, rehabilitation and redevelopment of communities affected by volcanic activities.
It is also directed to operationalize and coordinate effective and timely execution of disaster risk reduction and management efforts in affected communities; study and implement measures to rebuild and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in the Negros Island Region; and collaborate with concerned governed agencies and the private sector.
AO 32 mandates the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to formulate the Kanlaon Recovery and Development Plan, which will serve as the strategic framework for the recovery and development of affected communities.
The plan should contain short-term and long-term strategies and concrete action plans on areas of concern, which include housing and resettlement; infrastructure; social welfare; livelihood and business development; and governance.
The task force, through the OCD, is directed to prepare and submit to the Office of the Executive Secretary annual reports on the implementation of AO 32.
The funding requirements for the implementation of the Order will be taken from the existing appropriations of the member agencies of the task force and other available funding sources that may be identified by the Department of Budget and Management.
According to the NDRRMC report, the eruption of Mount Kanlaon has affected about 12,360 families or 48,528 individuals and caused PHP129 million in damage to agriculture.
Mount Kanlaon continues to exhibit significant volcanic activities which pose serious threats to lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and overall safety of communities within the Negros Island Region based on recent monitoring and analysis by the NDRRMSlC and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
“There is a need to ensure a coordinated government action and response to reduce the impact of Mt. Kanlaon’s volcanic activities and expedite the recovery and redevelopment of affected communities,” AO 32 read.
AO 32, which was made public on Friday, takes effect immediately. (PNA)
