"Mr. President wants the eruption survivors taking refuge to be treated well and none of them to get abandoned," he said.
Speaking to journalists after a limited meeting with the President here on Friday, he disclosed that the Head of State has demanded a quick and permanent solution for those affected severely by the volcano's eruptions.
He has agreed to a plan to relocate 301 households living near the volcano to Modisi village in Pinolosian Timur sub-district, Bolaang Mongondow Selatan district, North Sulawesi.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning and head of the National Land Agency (BPN), Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), said earlier that the relocation is aimed at enabling the affected families to continue their livelihoods safely.
According to the minister, the village was chosen because its topography could help them to continue to make a living through fishing and coconut farming.
Houses and essential infrastructure facilities would be provided to the affected households in the new settlement area, he added.
President Widodo earlier chaired a limited meeting with several cabinet members to discuss the planned relocation of residents affected by Mount Ruang's eruptions.
The volcanic eruptions, which occurred from April 16 to April 30, 2024, displaced more than 9 thousand residents and forced local authorities to evacuate at least 12 thousand residents, he noted in his opening remarks at the meeting.
The eruptions also disrupted flights and operational services at Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado city, he added.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the increased volcanic activity in Mount Ruang may have been triggered by the recent tectonic earthquake that jolted Doi Island in North Maluku.
Taking note of the increase in volcanic activity, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised its status to Level III alert at 4 p.m. local time on April 16.
The BNPB reported that the eruption forced residents in the disaster zone to evacuate on ferry vessels and boats.
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Translator: Rangga, Mentari, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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