• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that P199.608 million in assistance have already been extended to 12,632 families, composed of 48,518 individuals, affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon since Dec. 9 last year.
These were provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, and non-government organizations, both in Regions 6 and 7, according to a report dated Feb. 13.
OCD and the two regional disaster risk reduction and management councils also extended assistance in the amount of P4.329 million to LGUs and government agencies.
As the volcano’s unrest continues, a total of 2,760 families, comprising 8,803 individuals, are still staying in 23 evacuation centers while 3,028 displaced families, composed of 9,760 individuals, are staying in other shelters.
Other evacuation centers are being eyed in the cities of Victorias, Silay, Bacolod, Himamaylan and San Carlos in Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental, in case of another eruption.
The OCD also reported that 267 of the 395 family tents have already been set up at the tent city site in Barangay III, Himamaylan City.
In addition, two water tanks have been installed.
The tent city is designated to house evacuees from the neighboring LGUs should the alert level for Kanlaon Volcano escalate.
In an advisory on Feb. 14, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it monitored 17 volcanic quakes and emission of 2,958 tons of sulfur dioxide as high as 500 meters from the volcano’s crater.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano. | GB
