• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 1,100 families in barangays of La Castellana, Negros Occidental and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental have evacuated from their homes due to the continuing restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon.
While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged only two volcanic quakes in the past 24 hours, it still recorded 10,880 tonness per day of sulfur dioxide emission from its crater.
A total of 846 families, composed of 2,682 persons, have already been evacuated in La Castellana since Friday last week.
Alert Level 2 prevails over the volcano, but state volcanologists warned the public that it could further be raised.
On Monday, Sept. 16, Canlaon City reported that 254 families, composed of 795 individuals, are now staying in evacuation centers.
The volcanic ashfall also caused substantial damage to high-value crops, planted in 43 hectares of land, affecting 81 farmers, it added.
In a separate report, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has distributed P37.67 million worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s ongoing volcanic activity and its eruption last June.
The humanitarian aid distributed included 17,390 boxes of family food packs and P15.98 million in financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said 17,279 families or 57,226 persons in 23 barangays in Western Visayas and Central Visayas have been affected by Kanlaon’s unrest. | GB
