NDRRMC: P43.3-M worth of aid provided to Kanlaon-affected families

FOOD AID Negros Occidental provincial government personnel on Wednesday lead the distribution of food packs to residents of Barangay Nato, La Castellana town who have to be evacuated following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Dec. 9, 2024 —Contributed photo

MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday that P43.33 million worth of government assistance has been extended to families affected by the Dec. 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

In its situation report, the disaster response body said the assistance benefitted 8,004 families in Western and Central Visayas.

These consist of family food packs, financial assistance, hygiene kits, modular tents, “sakolines,” sleeping kits, laminated sacks, and family kits.

About 6,145 families have been assisted in Western Visayas and 1,859 in Central Visayas.

READ: Over 11,000 evacuated in 3 parts of Negros amid Mt. Kanlaon unrest

“Figures are still subject to change due to ongoing validation,” the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said P240.5 million worth of standby funds and relief stockpiles are available in DSWD’s offices in the two regions, constituting 186,328 units of family food packs.

It also said that the Regional Task Force/Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (RTF/IACC) is set to present its contingency plan on Dec. 23, with national agencies invited to participate.

The OCD said the Department of Education, as the lead for the Education Cluster, will be actively engaged in developing this plan to ensure the safety and continuity of education for affected students.

“The NDRRMC and OCD continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the Regional Task Force to expedite the development of contingency plans for potential escalation scenarios,” it said.

Expanding Kanlaon’s danger zone

The OCD, meanwhile, said it is looking to further expand the extended permanent danger zone around the volcano.

This development came as a low-pressure area off Mindanao poses risks of lahar flow in Negros Island.

“We’re also planning to move the evacuation centers that are still within that range, from 6 (km.) to 10 km., to at least outside of the 14 km. radius,” OCD Western Visayas Director and Task Force Kanlaon chairperson Raul Fernandez said in an interview with the Bilyonaryo News Channel on Wednesday.

There are 29 evacuation centers in Negros Island, while 10 family tents were set up in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

Fernandez noted that based on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s report, they have achieved a 99.17 percent evacuation rate of residents in the permanent danger zone, totaling 5,772 families consisting of 18,475 persons.

He assured the public of sufficient food and non-food items for the evacuees, sourced not only from the government but also from generous donors.

As residents may need to remain in evacuation centers until after the New Year, he appealed for more diverse food choices and recreational and educational materials for children.

“Based on the assessment of Phivolcs, there is still a huge possibility of an explosive eruption anytime. This is based on the volcanic activity that is ongoing, including volcanic earthquakes,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, he said passes are being issued to evacuees who need to temporarily check on their homes and properties.

“While we need to ensure the safety of residents, we can’t discount the fact that most of their livelihood is left behind. That’s why the LGUs (local government units) issued camp passes for designated family members who will return to feed animals or take care of farm chores,” Fernandez said.

“We’re giving them a window period to conduct this activity between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.”