P60 Million in Aid Provided for Kanlaon Volcano Victims
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has released P60 million in aid to support victims of the recent volcanic activity at Kanlaon Volcano, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The aid, which was distributed on Friday, includes P30 million each for Canlaon City and Negros Oriental Province. The turnover ceremony was led by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., who met with local officials and disaster management representatives.
Challenges Faced by Negros Oriental
The Negros Oriental provincial government faced difficulties in formally declaring a State of Calamity due to legal requirements that necessitate at least two cities or municipalities to be affected.
Canlaon City’s Urgent Needs
Meanwhile, Canlaon City’s local government reported that it could only sustain support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) for three to four days and urgently needed assistance from the national government.
The city also highlighted challenges related to communication and coordination due to low signal bandwidth. Furthermore, their Quick Response Fund (QRF) was depleting, impacting their ability to provide essential aid.
OCD Support and Gratitude
Joel Erestain, OCD Central Visayas chief and Regional Task Force Kanlaon vice chairperson, expressed gratitude to President Marcos for the aid, emphasizing its significance in alleviating the burdens of those affected by the eruption, especially the IDPs spending the holiday season in evacuation centers.
He noted that the OCD Central Office has increased fuel allocation for the QRF in Canlaon City to P1 million per month to support relief operations, transportation, clearing operations, and generator use.
Kanlaon Volcano Alert
On December 9, Kanlaon Volcano experienced an explosive eruption, producing a large plume that reached 4,000 meters. Ashfall was reported, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) flowed down the volcano’s slopes.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest. Magmatic intrusion at shallow levels is driving the unrest, suggesting a possible hazardous eruption within weeks.
Potential hazards include sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, PDCs, rockfalls, and lahars during heavy rains.
The danger zone has been expanded to encompass a 6-kilometer radius from the summit crater.
The OCD reported that as of Friday, 14,459 individuals from 4,607 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 3,557 people from 1,070 families were seeking shelter elsewhere.
— Joviland Rita/BAP, GMA Integrated News
For the latest updates on volcanic activity and relief efforts, visit the official website of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).