• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than 46,000 individuals have been displaced by the Kanlaon volcano eruption, as Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) persists, according to a report released on January 6 by the Office of Civil Defense.
Citing a report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the OCD said significant degassing from the volcano was detected on January 4, triggering an Emergency Alert Warning Message (EAWM) disseminated to the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
As a result of the ongoing volcanic activity, OCD said 12,223 families, composed of 46,781 individuals, have been affected in Western and Central Visayas. At present, there are 4,128 families (13,454 persons) sheltered in 34 evacuation centers, while an additional 2,351 families (7,458 persons) have sought refuge outside these centers.
OCD also noted a slight increase in the number of displaced individuals in evacuation centers since January 5, while some families in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, have been permitted by local officials to stay with relatives living beyond the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
For 14 days, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has been feeding thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the evacuation centers of La Castellana and cities of La Carlota and Bago, including volunteers, peacekeepers, and social workers, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed yesterday.
The 14-day feeding ended on Jan. 6, as agreed by the mayors of La Castellana, cities of Bago and La Carlota, and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Diaz said, adding that it will be now the LGUs which will take charge of the food provisions of IDPs, with the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
He disclosed that the affected LGUs may now use their respective Quick Reaction Funds (QRF) for 2025.
But Diaz said the community kitchens established by the provincial government in evacuation centers will continue to operate, to be maintained by the LGUs concerned.
He added that the local chief of executives of affected LGUs will have a meeting on Jan. 7 with the Governor, to discuss permanent resettlement sites for residents living within the permanent danger zone of Kanlaon volcano.
Malacañang recently gave P50 million to the Negros Occidental provincial government, to help address the needs of IDPs affected by the Kanlaon volcano eruption.
Diaz said they are eyeing to use the P50 million, either for food provisions of IDPs, or buying materials for the houses of IDPs in the resettlement areas.
On the other hand, OCD said the second cycle of Family Food Pack (FFP) distribution is now ongoing, with provisions set to last until January 15.
In Canlaon City, OCD said their immediate needs include patient transport vehicles, portable toilets, pillows, burners with tanks, plastic pallets, folding beds, blankets, solar lights, and foam covers; while La Castellana IDPs urgently need food packs, chlorinators, aqua tabs, wash kits, hygiene and first aid kits, bathing facilities, portable toilets, folding beds, kitchen sets, modular tents, sleeping kits, tarps, beddings, face masks, ground covers and sleeping mats.*
