• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government has utilized P5.8 million from its disaster funds to feed the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano for another month.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Friday (July 25) the remaining P2.8 million, which forms part of the P50 million given by Malacañang, will be utilized for other needs.
There are about 1,400 residents of barangays Biak Na Bato, Masulog, and Mansalanao in La Castellana still occupying the evacuation centers in the poblacion.
Some 62 families or 226 individuals from Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, which is within the six-kilometer danger zone, are staying at the La Carlota City Evacuation Center.
“We are now on our sixth wave of community kitchen. We will continue to do that, if there’s a need to do so,” Lacson said.
Kanlaon Volcano is currently under Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest.
The Office of Civil Defense has been discouraging the return of IDPs in La Castellana to the six-kilometer extended danger zone.
“We also had to consider the sentiments of the evacuees. They are also aware that, if there is really a need to get them out again, then we will do so,” Lacson said. | GB
