More than P100 million worth of humanitarian aid, mostly food packs, have already been distributed to the families affected by the increased volcanic ash emission and activities of the Kanlaon volcano in the Negros Island since late 2024.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DSWD- DROMIC) as of January 5 showed that 12,226 families or 46,787 persons from 26 barangays in the Western and Central Visayas regions have been affected by the eruption of Kanlaon on December 9 that resulted in the volcano alert level being raised from 2 to 3.
A total of 6,454 families or 20,797 persons were displaced including 4,103 families or 13,339 persons who are temporarily staying in 34 evacuation centers and 2,351 families or 7,458 persons who are staying with relatives or friends.
The DSWD has already provided P69.78 million worth of food packs and non-food relief items while concerned local government units (LGUs) have provided around P13.063 million worth of assistance.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have also provided more than P14.661 million worth of aid while other private partners distributed more than P3.49 million worth of assistance. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave assurance on Friday that his agency would sustain augmentation support to all LGUs affected by Kanlaon’s continued restiveness.
Gatchalian said aside from food, the agency has also started providing cash aid over the Christmas holidays which the beneficiaries could use for their other needs.
He said the DSWD is ready to augment the resources of LGUs, should the magmatic unrest escalate and evacuees require bigger food aid requirements, non-food items, and even cash assistance.
The Camp Coordination and Management (CCM) cluster of the DSWD is also set to double the LGU responder’s manpower to assist in the evacuation centers and ensure the welfare of the evacuees.
