Marcos gives P60M aid to Mount Kanlaon eruption victims

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has turned over P60 million in cash assistance to communities affected by the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said.

Canlaon City and Negros Oriental each received P30 million in aid for residents displaced by the calamity.

“Canlaon City previously reported that it could only sustain support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for three to four days, underscoring the urgent need for additional assistance from the national government,” the OCD said in a Facebook post on Friday.

READ: P68 million in crops, fisheries ruined by Kanlaon blast

“Current conditions were complicated by low signal bandwidth in Canlaon City, hindering communication and coordination efforts. Additionally, the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for Canlaon City was already depleting, impacting its ability to provide necessary support,” it added.

Negros Occidental had already declared a state of calamity due to the volcanic activity; however, Negros Oriental cannot make a similar declaration due to legal restrictions that require at least two cities or municipalities to be affected.

Last December 16, Mount Kanlaon emitted ash, reaching as high as 70 meters.

The state seismologist reported that the volcano remains at alert level 3 (intensified unrest).