BACOLOD CITY – The province of Negros Oriental is under a state of calamity due to the adverse impact of the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
KANLAON VOLCANO (Lenuel Miranda FB)
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved a resolution during its Dec. 27 session based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
This would enable the provincial government to utilize its Quick Response Fund to aid evacuees affected by the Dec. 9 eruption.
The PDRRMC made the recommendation during its meeting in Dumaguete City on Dec. 26 after the town of Vallehermoso aired a similar declaration on Dec. 25.
Vallehermoso made the decision as it is the nearest emergency site to Canlaon City and enable it accommodate evacuees.
As of Dec. 26, a total of 5,802 individuals or 1,778 families have been accommodated in 10 evacuation camps in Canlaon City which has been under a state of calamity since the June 3 eruption. There are 643 families or 2,014 individuals currently living outside the evacuation centers with a total of 2,421 families and 7,816 evacuees.
The city government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 will release a financial assistance of P3,000 to each affected family living within the four- to six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) but staying outside the evacuation centers.
Each family living outside the six-kilometer radius but have also evacuated and recorded in the list of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) will be given food packs and cash assistance but were advised to be sent home after receipt of the items. Vulnerable sectors in the evacuation centers will also receive P2,000 cash assistance.
The validation of the list of beneficiaries was held on Thursday, Dec. 26.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 oe intensified unrest or magmatic unrest. It continues to show increased ash emissions in the past days.
Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas thanked the national government for extending help to the city and the province.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved P30 million for Canlaon City while another P30 million was allotted for the provincial government to address the immediate needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and support ongoing response operations.
“We are grateful to President Marcos and the national government for responding to our call. This funding will greatly help in easing the burden of our evacuees and ensuring their safety and well-being," Cardenas said.