• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon are asking augmentation funds from the national government to feed their respective evacuees as the serving of hot meals being provided by the provincial government ended on March 7.
With this development, the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (NIR) regional director Donato Sermeno III said the concerned LGUs may again start using their respective Quick Response Funds to provide food for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the volcanic eruption since Dec. 9.
As of March 10, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that a total of 4,319 families, composed of 13,959 individuals, are staying inside and outside of evacuation centers in Negros Occidental alone.
The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental, through its social media account, reported that 1,962 families, comprising 6,291 persons, are staying in evacuation centers and in other shelters.
Sermeno said they have already endorsed the request for financial aid of La Castellana in the amount of about P40 million as well as that of Canlaon City and La Carlota City.
The Himamaylan City government also requested assistance for the maintenance of the tent city for IDPs.
While the OCD-NIR has yet to receive their Quick Respond Fund from the national government, the DSWD has enough supply of family food packs for IDPs, Sermeno said.
In December last year, the Office of the President gave P30 million each to the Canlaon City government and the Negros Oriental provincial government to address the basic needs of IDPs.
The Negros Occidental provincial government received P50 million, which would be used for food of the evacuees, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on March 10 that Kanlaon Volcano continues to build pressure, thus Alert Level 3 will not be lowered.
Following the organization of National Task Force on Kanlaon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that the government will implement a long-term plan to ensure the safety of residents affected by the eruption of the volcano in Negros Island.
The plan involves identifying safe evacuation sites and establishing permanent relocation areas. | GB
