• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The rice supply for evacuees got a boost from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which procured 659 sacks for five local government units affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
The recipients are the municipality of La Castellana, cities of Bago, La Carlota and San Carlos in Negros Occidental as well as Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
In a radio interview, Benilda Fidel, manager of National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Occidental, said the OCD purchased the 659 sacks of rice valued at P1.2 million for distribution to concerned LGUs.
La Castellana received the biggest allocation of 310 sacks; Canlaon City, 254 sacks; La Carlota City, 70 sacks; San Carlos City, 15 sacks; and Bago City, 10 sacks.
According to a report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 1,860 families, composed of 5,824 individuals, are still staying in 15 evacuation centers.
The DSWD has extended P51.075 million in assistance to the affected families.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Thursday, Jan. 30, that the provincial government is set to launch the second phase of its program to provide healthy food to internally displaced persons.
Diaz said they are waiting for Malacañang to sign the deed of donation for the P50-million assistance it has extended to Negros Occidental.
The provincial government has allocated the amount for the food of the evacuees. | GB
