• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Ash eruptions at Kanlaon Volcano have been continuing since April 1, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) yesterday recorded four more such eruptions that lasted between 17 to 85 minutes, generating grayish plumes that rose to 400 meters above the crater of the volcano.
According to an advisory, PHIVOLCS also logged 16 volcanic quakes, including five volcanic tremors.
Over the past two days, a total of 11 ash eruptions were recorded by PHIVOLCS.
As long as Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano, evacuees will have to remain at the evacuation centers, said Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
On April 9, the 7,900 families, or 24,891 individuals affected by the volcanic activity, will mark four months of stay inside and outside of evacuation centers.
As the restiveness of Kanlaon Volcano continues, the Negros Occidental provincial government assured displaced Negrense families of continued assistance through its community kitchens.
Lacson disclosed on Thursday that there is still a budget for food, at least for another month, utilizing a portion of the P50 million in aid given by Malacañang and the remaining quick reaction funds from 2024.
As he foresees a budget problem for food in the near future, Lacson said they might use the 2025 budget to sustain the food requirements of Kanlaon Volcano evacuees, majority of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) being La Castellana residents.
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Manguilimutan has already sent a request for additional financial aid from the Office of the President.
Of the P50 million financial assistance from Malacañang, an amount of P14 million has been allocated for the site development of permanent relocation sites for Kanlaon evacuees.*
