Over P37.9 M aid extended to Negros folk affected by Kanlaon eruption

File photo shows Kanlaon Volcano as seen from Canlaon City (Photo from INQUIRER Visayas Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far extended and distributed over P37.9 million worth of aid  to residents affected by the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said P15.9 million in financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and over 17,000 family food packs have been distributed and delivered to affected local government units.

“In total, we have delivered more than P37.9 million worth of humanitarian assistance, but currently we are still in contact with the local governments so that we can deliver whatever additional assistance is needed,” Dumlao said in Filipino in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

Dumlao said the DSWD is currently monitoring 23 affected barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, which have a total of 17,279 affected families or 57,000 affected individuals.

Kanlaon Volcano is still under Alert Level 2,  which signifies increased unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology previously warned that Kanlaon Volcano could potentially have its first magmatic eruption since 1902.

Phivolcs said, however, that it would be impossible to accurately predict when an eruption might happen.