BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — At least 1,752 families affected by the phreatic eruption of Kanlaon Volcano received financial assistance of P10,000 each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos was accompanied by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos as she led the distribution of financial assistance worth P17.5 million in La Castellana, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Food and non-food assistance were also distributed to the victims.
As of Friday, the DSWD said 836 families or 2,723 people remained in five evacuation centers in La Castellana.
Thirty-one other families are with their families or friends in other areas.
They are residents of Barangays Biak Na Bato, Cabacungan, Cabagna-an, Camandag, Masulog and Sag-ang.
In Canlaon City, 83 families or 283 residents of Canlaon City were allowed to return to their homes on Thursday.
State seismologists said no volcanic quake was recorded in Kanlaon Volcano from midnight of Friday until yesterday.