• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is planning to spend Christmas eve celebrations with evacuees affected by the Kanlaon volcano eruption, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed on Thursday.
The Office of the Civil Defense disclosed earlier that internally displaced persons affected by the Kanlaon volcano eruption may need to stay at evacuation centers for three weeks, pending assessment of the activities of the volcano.
The Office of the Civil Defense reported that 10,876 families have been affected by the eruption of Kanlaon volcano in Regions 6 and 7.
Diaz said that Gov. Lacson will have surprises for the affected residents at the evacuation centers
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated P33 million for the procurement of basic needs of the internally displaced persons.
Task Force Kanlaon chief Raul Fernandez acknowledged the growing challenges in sustaining operations at evacuation centers, particularly in addressing evacuees’ needs as local government units (LGUs) grapple with depleted resources as the year-end approaches.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that damage to palay and high value crops, as of December 19, was pegged at more than P28 million.*
