President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has provided P50 million in financial assistance to the provincial government of Negros Occidental to support residents displaced by the ongoing eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. The provincial government, in collaboration with local agencies, is using the funds for operational expenses related to the disaster response.
The eruption, which began on December 9, 2024, has caused the displacement of thousands of residents across multiple barangays in the Western and Central Visayas regions. As of now, up to 11,883 families, or approximately 45,526 individuals, from 32 barangays have been evacuated due to the eruption’s threat. The Office of Civil Defense has reported that more than P123.69 million worth of assistance has been provided to victims so far.
Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, the provincial administrator of Negros Occidental, expressed gratitude for the timely assistance from President Marcos, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing those who require urgent help. “We would like to express gratitude to the President,” Diaz said, adding that the P50 million will be crucial in covering the operational costs of evacuating residents, setting up shelters, and providing relief services.
In addition to financial aid, the provincial government is taking steps to ensure the well-being of evacuees. The local government units are providing rice, while the provincial government supplies the viands. Mambukal Catering Service, a local provider, has been tasked with preparing 2,000 kilos of pork, 2,000 kilos of chicken, and various vegetables daily to feed 10,000 evacuees. This collaboration ensures that evacuees receive adequate nutrition during their stay in evacuation centers.
Atty. Diaz also revealed that the province has installed additional portable toilets in evacuation centers to improve sanitation and maintain health standards. Provincial health officer Girlie Pinongan reported an increase in respiratory cases among evacuees, particularly in La Castellana, where both children and adults are affected by coughs, flu, and fever. The prolonged stay in overcrowded shelters heightens the risk of respiratory diseases, underscoring the need for continued medical assistance.
The current alert level for Kanlaon Volcano remains at Level 3, and authorities are closely monitoring its activity. Over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded three ash emission events and 16 volcanic quakes. These ongoing volcanic activities have raised concerns that the eruption could escalate further, with three possible scenarios being anticipated: a lava flow, a violent eruption, or a plateauing of the volcano’s activity.
In preparation for these scenarios, the provincial government has set up tent cities in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, Vallehermoso, and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental. This will help accommodate evacuees if conditions worsen.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has called for further assistance for the agricultural sector, which has been severely affected by the eruption. KMP chairman Danilo Ramos highlighted that at least 12,000 farming families, or over 45,000 people from Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Panay, have been displaced. Bago City, La Castellana, and Murcia in Negros Occidental, along with Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, were particularly hard-hit by the volcanic activity.
The efforts of the provincial government and the timely assistance from President Marcos are critical in alleviating the suffering of those affected by the Kanlaon eruption. With the ongoing support, authorities are hopeful that they can address the immediate needs of displaced families and continue to provide much-needed relief in the coming days.