• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The damage and losses due to the December 9 eruption of Kanlaon volcano has reached P32,830,369, affecting 298 hectares of agricultural crops, and 1,881 animals, as well as less than a hectare of fishpond, according to a report of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), as of Dec. 21 this year.
Based on the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, which was submitted to the PDRRMC, damage to high value commercial crops (HVCC) was pegged at P29,268,182, rice at P2,576,406, and corn at P503,352.50, all in La Castellana, and the cities of La Carlota and Bago.
Damage to livestock was reported at P268,429.50 and P214,000 to aquaculture, according to PDRRMC reports.
In a report to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña said that there are 6,585 families composed of 21,714 persons, affected by the eruption, in 21 barangays of seven local government units in the province.
A total of 2,672 families, comprising 8,462 individuals, are now staying at evacuation centers, with 60 families, composed of 209 individuals, choosing to stay outside evacuation centers.
The Provincial Veterinary Office also reported that a total of 684 heads of animals, owned by 132 animal raisers, were rescued and evacuated to the Colegio de La Castellana track oval in Barangay Robles, La Castellana.
The threat of water contamination due to ashfall was also reported in Bago City, while water spring sources in La Carlota City are still potable and safe for consumption, according to a report of the Negros Occidental PDRRMC.
On the other hand, the Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental reported that 1,739 families affected by the Kanlaon eruption were each given P3,000 in assistance, which came from the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation), a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported eight volcanic quakes and emission of 7,445 tons of sulfur dioxide from the crater of Kanlaon volcano, which remains under Alert Level 3.*
