BACOLOD CITY – Four local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island are set to receive P203.8 million in additional funding from the national government to support ongoing response efforts related to Kanlaon Volcano.

COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia (left) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno during their visit to Bacolod City on Thursday, May 1. (Glazyl Masculino)
This was announced by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno during a press briefing in Bacolod City on Thursday, May 1, following his visit to Kanlaon-affected areas in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Himamaylan City will receive P62.5 million, P63.1 million for La Carlota City, and P48.5 million for La Castellana, all in Negros Occidental, and P29.7 million for Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the funding two weeks ago, and its release is expected soon, according to Nepomuceno.
Nepomuceno said the OCD has been conducting relief operations since the volcano erupted on Dec. 9, 2024.
Although Himamaylan City was not heavily impacted by ashfall or eruption, Nepomuceno said the city will use the fund to set up a “tent city” in preparation for possible large-scale evacuations.
But the fund for Himamaylan City may be released in a later date after the midterm elections, as only those involved in relief operations are exempted from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on disbursing public funds.
The other LGUs will use their allocations for essential supplies such as food, fuel, medical items, and other logistics.
Currently, around 2,600 families – or 8,300 individuals –are in evacuation centers under Alert Level 3. This number could swell to 70,000 to 90,000 people if Alert Level 4 is declared.
Despite the threat of a more severe eruption, Nepomuceno emphasized that the government is ready to provide support.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan had earlier requested P47 million from the national government to assist over 4,200 displaced individuals.
The provincial governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental has each received P50 million for Kanlaon response efforts.