Kanlaon-hit LGUs seek funding from national government

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) affected by the Dec. 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, whose disaster funds are now almost depleted, are seeking help from the national government to feed residents evacuated from the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).

The LGUs of La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental have sounded the alarm over the depletion of their quick response fund (QRF) to feed thousands of their affected residents.

While the provincial government of Negros Occidental is exerting effort to assist the LGUs, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they are also banking on the national government, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to continuously provide the affected LGUs with food packs.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that as of yesterday, the evacuation rate was at 99 percent, with 3,799 families or 15,083 people evacuated so far from 15 barangays of La Castellana and the cities of Bago, La Carlota and Canlaon situated within the six-kilometer PDZ.

La Castellana remains the most affected locality, with 1,134 families or 5,670 people affected by the eruption.

The Canlaon City government, which was placed under a state of calamity during Kanlaon’s phreatic eruption on June 3, reported a 97.9-percent evacuation rate, with 1,719 families or 5,530 people living within the six-kilometer PDZ now staying at evacuation centers.

Canlaon City public information officer Edna Lou Masicampo said the LGU’s disaster fund is now almost depleted, as it began being used during Kanlaon’s first eruption.

“With the influx of residents forcibly evacuated from the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon, comprising five barangays, the LGU has to spend an estimated P600,000 to P700,000 on their needs,” Masicampo said.

Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo on Monday said the city government’s quick response fund estimated at P18 million might last only until next month.

While some civil society groups started sending out help to internally displaced persons in the city, Lacson also called on the private sector to provide evacuees with drinking water and other basic needs.

Alert Level 3 remains

Meanwhile, Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon as the volcano continues to spew ash after its explosive eruption.

Since Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded four ashing events that lasted from six to 35 minutes, and logged 32 volcanic quakes.

Sulfur dioxide flux was recorded at 8,600 tons per day, as there was continuous degassing that generated plumes up to 75 meters high.

The OCD Western Visayas has warned of lahar flow risks in Negros Occidental with forecasted heavy rainfall in the Visayas due to a low-pressure area. — Romina Cabrera