DSWD extends P6.7-M worth of aid to Kanlaon Volcano eruption victims

FILE PHOTO: This photo shows piled boxes of relief items from the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) and a woman helping in the repacking of goods in this file photo taken in July 2024. INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided over P6.7-million worth of aid to families affected by the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano that lies between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, a DSWD official said on Thursday.

DSWD Spokesperson and Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao shared that the agency has provided P6,731,626 worth of humanitarian aid as of Thursday, 6 a.m..

“Ito po ay binubuo ng mga family food packs and non-food items, particularly sleeping kits and hygiene kits,” said Dumlao in a media forum.

(This is composed of family food packs and non-food items, particularly sleeping kits and hygiene kits.)

The agency spokesperson also shared that there are 1,508,038 prepositioned boxes of family food packs throughout the country for calamity-stricken local government units.

READ: DSWD: 80,000 food packs prepositioned in Negros after Kanlaon eruption

Dumlao also said that the DSWD is ready to extend help once the Kanlaon Volcano erupts again.

“Nagpapatuloy ang koordinasyon ng DSWD sa mga partner LGUs para po matugunan natin ang mga pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin na naapektuhan ng pagputok ng Mt. Kanlaon,” Dumlao added.

(The coordination between DSWD and partner LGUs continue to attend to the needs of individuals affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.)

Further, DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication reported that as of Thursday, 6 a.m., a total of 654 families or 2,314 individuals are taking shelter in six evacuation centers in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

Dumlao added that 2,825 families or 9,328 individuals are currently in 11 evacuation centers in the La Castallena, Negros Occidental.

READ: Mt. Kanlaon calms down

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the volcano had an “explosive eruption” from its crater around 3:03 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, prompting the state volcanologist to raise the alert level to 3, indicating a magmatic unrest.

Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Monday instructed evacuation operation for approximately 87,000 affected residents.