• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 1,100 families in barangays of La Castellana in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, have evacuated from their respective homes, due to the continuing unrest of Kanlaon volcano.
While the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged only two volcanic quakes in the past 24 hours, it still recorded 10,880 tons per day of sulfur dioxide emissions from its crater.
A total of 846 families, composed of 2,682 persons, have already been evacuated in La Castellana, since Friday last week.
While Alert Level 2 prevails over the volcano, state volcanologists warned the public that it could further raise the alert level
On September 16, the city government of Canlaon City reported that 254 families, composed of 795 individuals, are currently staying in evacuation centers, due to the threat posed by Kanlaon volcano.
Volcanic ashfall has also caused substantial damage to high value crops, planted in an area of 43 hectares, affecting 81 farmers, it added.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it has distributed P37.67 million worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by Kanlaon’s ongoing volcanic activities and its eruption in June of this year.
The humanitarian aid distributed to Kanlaon-affected residents include 17,390 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) and PHP15.98 million financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said 17,279 families, or 57,226 persons, in 23 barangays in Western Visayas and Central Visayas have been affected by Kanlaon’s unrest.*
