BACOLOD CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has issued a resolution recommending that the entire province of Negros Occidental be placed under a state of calamity due to explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, PDRRMC chairperson, presided over an emergency meeting at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol here on Thursday, Dec. 12, to discuss local disaster response on the eruption.

NEGROS Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson meets La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to assess the ongoing relief operations and disaster response initiatives following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. (Capitol PIO)

Lacson, in a media interview after the meeting, said that this measure would enable the provincial government to tap their quick response fund (QRF) to address the situation.

He said that many local government units (LGUs) have been asking about the declaration as they would like to  help Kanlaon-affected LGUs.

The resolution stated that there are 33,806 individuals affected within the six-kilometer radius and unable to remain in their homes due to the forced evacuation mandated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. They face not only respiratory health problems resulting from ashfall but also the hazards associated with contaminated food and water resources, it said.

The PDRRMC identified La Castellana, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, the southeastern portion of Bago City, Valladolid, San Enrique, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan as LGUs affected by the eruption.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has been asked to immediately convene to pass a resolution adopting the PDRRMC resolution and release the calamity fund to extend immediate assistance to those affected by the Kanlaon eruption and aid the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the provincial government.

The declaration would also enable the imposition of a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities to curb predatory pricing by businesses and hoarding of goods, programming and reprogramming of funds for the repair and upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities, utilization of the QRF within the affected LGUs or other areas impacted by a disaster or calamity, for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery, and other necessary works or services, and use of alternative modes of procurement for the efficient procurement of emergency works, goods, or services needed to respond to or quickly recover from disasters.

Lacson endorsed the PDRRMC recommendation on Thursday to the SP through Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer for adoption.

The governor called on businessmen not to take advantage of the situation especially the sale of face masks. “I heard that prices of face masks immediately increased after the eruption. Keeping the prices where it should be is actually helping the victims of the eruption,” he said.

He said that the province can keep up with the resources to assist Kanlaon victims, but he is hoping that the national government would also be able to augment them financially. “The commitment of the national government is there,” he added.

The governor is hoping that Kanlaon Volcano will calm down to enable evacuees can spend their Christmas at home. “We’re hoping for the best,” he said.