• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 1,579 families in Negros Occidental affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon received cash aid of P15.79 million and relief goods worth P1.201 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday.
First Lady Liza-Araneta Marcos, accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., led the distribution of assistance in Bago City and La Castellana.
Each family was given financial assistance amounting to P10,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the DSWD.
As of June 15, DSWD reported there are still 833 families, composed of 2,711 persons, occupying five evacuation centers in La Castellana while 31 other families, composed of 97 persons, are staying outside the evacuation centers.
It added that P22,582,766 in humanitarian assistance, including family food packs, non-food items and financial assistance, have been distributed to the 8,683 families, or 26,367 persons affected by the volcanic eruption.
As of June 16, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged four volcanic quakes as Mt. Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2
Until such time the alert level is downgraded and the heavy rains which may trigger lahar flow will stop, the internal displaced persons will have to stay in the evacuation centers, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan earlier said. | GB
