• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Residents of communities affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon have started to receive rice subsidy from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
OCD-Negros Island Region regional director Donato Sermeno III said on Friday, March 14, that 695 sacks of rice came from the National Food Authority.
Of which, 100 sacks were delivered to La Carlota City while 310 sacks are up for delivery to La Castellana.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said that Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III also gave 100 sacks of rice to La Castellana.
Evacuation centers in Bago City, Negros Occidental and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental will also have their share of rice subsidy.
Sermeno assured the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of regular assistance from the OCD.
Data of the Department of Social Welfare and Development showed 1,766 families, or 5,657 individuals, are staying in 14 evacuation centers in Negros Occidental.
Some 2,553 families or 8,302 individuals are living with relatives or friends.
Mangilimutan said the third wave of feeding by the provincial government for 1,362 families, composed of 4,424 persons, in La Castellana will resume on Saturday (March 15).
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said the funds for feeding of the evacuees will be sourced out from the P50 million given by the Office of the President to Negros Occidental. | GB
