• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An additional financial aid of P204 million has been requested by the Office of Civil Defense from the national government, for local government units affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
Office of the Civil Defense Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno disclosed that their request for more financial assistance has already been signed, and they are awaiting its release.
Nepomuceno acknowledged the financial challenges faced by local government units, especially after more than four months of continuous operations.
Of the requested financial aid, the amount of P63 million has been earmarked for La Carlota City, P48.5 million for La Castellana, P62.5 million for Himamaylan City, all in Negros Occidental, while P30 million is for Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
In a statement, Nepomuceno said that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., who chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, has assured the affected communities that help is ongoing, and that the government remains active until the situation stabilizes.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental also realigned the allocation of P14 million for use to set up a permanent relocation site for Kanlaon evacuees in La Castellana. Instead, it will be used to continue providing hot meals to the families displaced by the Kanlaon eruptions, who have been staying in evacuation centers for several months, Negros Occidental provincial government Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed.
The P14 million allocation was taken from the P50 million financial aid extended by the Office of the President to the Negros Occidental provincial government.
The OCD also turned over non-food items, including 10 bags of shelter repair kits to the cities of La Carlota and Bago City in Negros Occidental. Three portable water filtration units and 500 hygiene kits were also added to La Carlota City to address health and sanitation needs in affected areas.
Nepomuceno further assured that the extension of evacuation center operations remains a priority and that additional support will be provided if needed.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Administrative Order No. 32 April 24, creating the National Task Force Kanlaon, to tackle volcanic threats and safeguard communities in Negros Island.
Marcos called for a “coordinated government approach” to reduce the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the eruption.
Task Force Kanlaon was formed in response to the increasing volcanic activity after its eruption on Dec. 9, 2024, the Presidential Communications Office said on April 25.
Marcos had stressed the importance of stronger coordination among government agencies to ensure a more effective, efficient, and strategic response to natural disasters.
The task force will lead the planning and implementation of recovery, rehabilitation, and resettlement programs.*
