• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 11,883 families, composed of 45,526 individuals, in 32 barangays of Regions 6 and 7, have been affected by the Kanlaon volcano eruption on December 9, while the government has so far provided more than P123.69 million worth of assistance to the affected individuals, according to a report of the Office of the Civil Defense.
A total of 9,571 families which require assistance, have received aid, resulting in a 100 percent assistance rate, according to the OCD.
Of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), a total of 4,454 families, or 14,186 persons are currently residing in 32 evacuation centers, while 2,185 families, totalling 6,953 individuals are staying outside those centers, the OCD situational report added.
The agricultural sector suffered severe losses, with damage pegged at P33,554,722.59, and 830 farmers and fisherfolk have been affected in Region 6.
A total of 34.54 hectares of crops was reported damaged while 263.51 hectares are partially damaged but have a chance of recovery.
The OCD also activated the Negros Island Region Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Disaster Online Reporting and Monitoring System (DORMS), as the volcano remains under Alert Level 3.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who spent his Christmas day with IDPs at 11 evacuation centers in La Castellana and La Carlota City, said on Thursday that he is calling on all evacuees of the Kanlaon volcano eruption currently staying in evacuation centers to have patience and continue praying as the volcano continues to show signs of restlessness.
He was accompanied by Board Member Jose Benito Alonso.
“Our goal was to celebrate with the kids. We successfully did that. We also assured the evacuees that the provincial government is with them,” Lacson said, stressing that they can still afford to feed thousands of evacuees for a month.
Raul Fernandez, Task Force Kanlaon chief, said they are looking at three possible scenarios right now – lava flow, a violent eruption, and volcano activities to plateau, following the series of eruption activities.
Fernandez said there is ongoing preparation for the establishment of tent cities in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and Vallehermoso and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental, in case the alert level escalates.
“We are preparing for a heightened alert level,” he added.*
