Kanlaon Volcano, or Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island, erupts on Monday evening, June 3, 2024, producing a 5-kilometer plume and prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise the volcano’s alert status to Level 2. (Ethan Asentista-Khoo)
MANILA, Philippines—Residents affected by the Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption will receive aid worth P40 million through two government programs, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday.
Romualdez, in a statement, said that following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he is facilitating the release of the P40 million aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Romualdez said P20 million will come from the DSWD’s Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) while another P20 million will be sourced from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
Romualdez said P4 million worth of food packs will be distributed using the Speaker’s Disaster Assistance Fund.
“These funds will provide much-needed support to affected residents in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, ensuring they have the resources to cope with the disruptions caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano,” Romualdez said.
Two districts in the vicinity of Kanlaon — the first district of Negros Oriental, represented by Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, and the fourth district of Negros Occidental, represented by Rep. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer — will each receive P10 million from AKAP and P10 million from TUPAD.
“By providing these food packs, we aim to meet the urgent needs of our communities and ensure no one goes hungry during this difficult time,” Romualdez said.
“President Marcos’ directive was clear: we must act swiftly and decisively to provide relief to those affected by this natural disaster,” Speaker Romualdez said. “His commitment to the welfare of our people is unwavering, and this aid package reflects that dedication.”
AKAP is a program created by lawmakers to provide one-time cash assistance to workers earning less than P23,000 monthly or those classified as “near poor.”
TUPAD, meanwhile, is the government’s program where victims of calamities and other economic problems will be assisted in a cash-for-work scheme.
On Monday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a phreatic eruption at Kanlaon Volcano, with plumes reaching up to five kilometers high.
According to Phivolcs’ advisory, the eruption occurred at Kanlaon’s summit vent at 6:51 p.m. and lasted six minutes.