• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday assured Kanlaon victims that the government will continue monitoring the situation and providing assistance, amid the restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon.
As of February 20, a total of 1,766 families, composed of 5,567 persons, are staying at 14 evacuation centers, aside from 2,105 families, comprising 6, 789 individuals, staying outside of the evacuation centers.
During his visit to Kanlaon victims temporarily housed at the La Carlota City South Elementary School II Evacuation Center in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Marcos said the government is keeping tabs on their activities to know their real situation and protect them from danger.
Marcos said the displaced individuals can count on the government, assuring them of continued assistance until the situation returns to normal.
“Lagi naming mino-monitor ang sitwasyon ninyo, kung kumusta na kayo, kung meron na sa inyong nagkakasakit, kung lahat kayo ay kumportable, lalo na inaalala naming ‘yung mga bata (We are always monitoring your situation, how you are doing, if any of you are sick, if you are all comfortable, we are especially concerned about the children),” Marcos said.
“Asahan lang po ninyo na itong mga tulong na dinadala ng pamahalaan ay walang tigil po iyan hangga’t hindi niyo na kailangan. Hangga’t kailangan niyo iyan ay nandito kami (Just expect that this assistance provided by the government will continue until you no longer need it. As long as you need it, we will be here),” he added.
Marcos said the national government is closely coordinating with concerned local government units to ensure the safety of evacuees.
During the event, Marcos led the distribution of financial assistance worth P5,000 and family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to each of the 323 families,or 1,111 individuals, housed in evacuation centers in La Carlota City.
He was assisted by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer.
Since the volcano’s explosive eruption on December 9, 2024, residents from Ara-Al, Yubo, and Haguimit villages situated within the 6-kilometer extended danger zone have been evacuated and are seeking refuge in four evacuation centers or with nearby relatives in La Carlota City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the alert level at these towns to Alert Level 3 due to intensified magmatic unrest and has urged residents to remain in evacuation centers.
In a situation briefing after the aid distribution, Marcos was briefed of the possibility of a larger eruption.
During the briefing, Marcos said he would order the release of additional funds to replenish the Quick Response Funds (QRF) of the concerned LGUs to carry out their contingency plans for a Kanlaon eruption.
“Everyone has taken the initiative to make a plan already. It’s a question of putting it together and funding it,” he said. “We’ll work on the QRF kung ano ‘yung additional funding na magawa natin (whatever additional funding we can get). We’ll start doing the longer-term planning.”
Marcos also broached the idea of creating a task force that would implement long-term measures, including the relocation of the displaced individuals and construction of new homes.
Various government agencies presented their disaster response efforts to mitigate the effects of the phreatic eruption of Mt. Kanlaon and other related local emergencies.
According to the PHIVOLCS’ latest report, Kanlaon’s volcanic activity continues with around 19 volcanic earthquakes recorded daily.
Kanlaon’s unrest has resulted in over P129 million in damage to the agriculture sector of Western Visayas.* with PNA reports
