By JEN BAYLON
The Negros Occidental provincial government will be seeking assistance from national government agencies for the evacuees of Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption last December 9.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said affected local government units (LGUs) in the province, particularly La Castellana town, have already spent all their quick response funds during Kanlaon’s first eruption in June of this year.
“There is also a need for basics like sanitary kits and sleeping kits. I hope we can continue to provide water and liquefied petroleum gas for cooking,” Lacson said.
There are non-government organizations that are giving assistance, especially in providing food for the evacuees.
“I’m calling the private sector for anything that will help the living conditions of our evacuees. They can either go directly to La Castellana or other affected LGUs, like Bago City, or through the provincial government,” the governor said.
“Let us see what we can do,” he added.
Earlier this week, the national government had extended more than P29 million in assistance to the residents affected by Kanlaon’s recent eruption, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
About 9,696 families in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have been provided P17 million and P11 million in assistance, respectively, which consisted of family food packs, hygiene and sleeping kits and modular tents.
P33 million aid
Meanwhile, the provincial government allocated a substantial budget of P33 million to assist over 10,000 evacuees following Kanlaon’s eruption last week.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II announced that the budget, sourced from the province’s quick response fund, is intended to sustain relief efforts for at least 14 days.
Diaz said the budget includes a P14 million budget designated for procuring raw ingredients supplied to community kitchens, ensuring that evacuees receive adequate nutrition during their displacement.
Allowances will also be distributed to volunteers assisting in each evacuation camp.
Diaz said the Capitol is supplying gasoline for transport vehicles used by rescue teams, facilitating efficient movement and coordination of relief efforts.
At least 3,611 families, encompassing around 12,101 individuals, remain in 18 evacuation centers in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town, as well as the cities of Bago and La Carlota.
La Castellana has been identified as the most severely affected LGU following the eruption, with 1,134 families and 5,670 individuals within the six-kilometer expanded danger zone evacuated.
Bago, placed under a state of calamity earlier this week, has 113 families, consisting of 366 individuals, now staying in four evacuation centers in the city./ With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ