• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Local government units affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption are asking for augmentation funds from the national government to feed their respective evacuees, as the serving of hot meals being provided by the provincial government of Negros Occidental to internally displaced persons (IDPs), ended on March 7, on Monday disclosed Donato Sermeno III, Office of the Civil Defense regional director for Negros Island Region.
With that development, Sermeno said the concerned LGUs may start using their respective Quick Response Funds again to feed their IDPs who have been displaced by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on December 9 last year.
The affected LGUs fear the depletion of funds, just from the food of evacuees alone.
As of March 10, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that a total of 4,319 families, composed of 13,959 individuals, have been staying inside and outside of evacuation in Negros Occidental alone, for three months already.
The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental, through its social media account, also disclosed that 1,962 families, comprising 6,291 persons among its residents, are still staying inside and outside of evacuation centers.
Sermeno said they have already endorsed the request for financial aid of La Castellana in the amount of about P40 million, as well as that of Canlaon City, and La Carlota City, and that of the Himamaylan City government for the maintenance of the tent city for IDPs.
Even the OCD is yet to receive their Quick Response Fund from the national government, he added.
Sermeno however said that DSWD has enough supply of family food packs for IDPs.
In December last year, the Office of the President gave P30 million each, to the Canlaon City government and provincial government of Negros Oriental, to address the basic needs of IDPs.
Similarly, the provincial government of Negros Occidental, also received P50 million, which according to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is to be used for food of the evacuees.
Since December last year up to March 7 this year, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has been feeding IDPs of LGUs affected by the eruption.
Sermeno said he cannot tell how long will IDPs stay inside or outside of evacuation centers.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on Sunday that the Kanlaon Volcano continues to build pressure, thus Alert Level 3 cannot be lowered.
Following the organization of National Task Force on Kanlaon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that the government will implement a long-term plan to ensure the safety of residents affected by the eruption of the volcano in Negros Island.
The plan involves identifying safe evacuation sites and establishing permanent relocation areas.*
