Malacañang has assured that it would immediately send help to local government units (LGUs) affected by the explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano if the LGUs request for it.
"Kung kinakailangan po, ito po’y titingnan po, titingnan pong mabuti kung ano po ang pangangailangan ng mga LGUs at agad-agad pong bibigyan po ito ng tulong (If necessary, this will be carefully looked into to assess the needs of the LGUs, and assistance will be given immediately)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in briefing on Tuesday, April 8.
Castro made the statement when asked what will be the response of the Palace to LGUs request for additional funding amid the volcanic eruption.
The Palace official also said that President Marcos has directed agencies to continue providing services to affected communities.
"Ngayon po, patuloy pa rin po ang binibigyan ng serbisyo ayon na rin sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo. Ang DSWD po ay sa ngayon po ha, ngayong April 8 ay sinabi po na ang field offices po sa Western and Central Visayas ay closely coordinating po sa mga affected local government units at patuloy pa rin po ang pagbibigay ng mga provisions o family food packs and non-food items sa ating mga kababayan na naaapektuhan (As of now, services are continuously being provided as per the directive of the President. The DSWD, right now, is saying that the field offices in Western and Central Visayas are closely coordinating with affected LGUs and the provisions of family food packs and non-food items are being given to affected residents)," Castro said.
Castro also called on residents not to enter or go near the danger zone.
"At sa ngayon po, Level 3 pa rin po ayon po sa Phivolcs ang alert po so nandoon pa rin po ang panawagan ng mga LGUs na huwag po pasukin iyong six-kilometer radius danger zone (At present, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the alert is at Level 3, so the LGUs continue to appeal to the people not to enter the six-kilometer radius danger zone)," the Palace press officer said.
The Phivolcs reported that an “explosive” eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 5:51 a.m. on Tuesday. It ended at around 6:47 a.m., Phivolcs confirmed.