Negros Oriental has been placed under state of calamity in response to the needs of the families affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption earlier this month.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the Negros Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (PDRRMC) recommendation to declare the entire province under a calamity state in a special session on December 27.

The declaration will allow the provincial government to utilize its quick response funds to address the needs of the evacuees in the province.

The PDRRMC made the recommendation after Vallehermoso town and Canlaon City were declared under state of calamity following the eruption.

The requirement of at least two local government units has been met to qualify the province for the declaration.

A price freeze on basic necessities will be imposed, ensuring that there will be no predatory pricing of commodities in areas affected by the eruption.

Vallehermoso town is also being prepared to accept evacuees from Canlaon City if Kanlaon erupts anew.

At least 1,778 families, comprising 5,802 individuals, remain inside 10 evacuation centers in Canlaon City.

Around 2,014 residents or 643 families are living with their relatives.

Earlier, Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City information officer, said the city government’s quick response funds had been depleted.

Emergency response teams also report adequate food supplies for the evacuees in the next 10 days, with ongoing support from the national government to ensure community resilience during this period of unrest.

The city government and private organizations have also organized psychosocial activities to help evacuees process potential trauma from the eruption and remain engaged while in evacuation camps.

Challenges in evacuation efforts

Meanwhile, authorities are facing several pressing challenges in evacuation efforts, including congestion in evacuation facilities, complicated logistics, and the provision of services, the Office of Civil Defense said.

Inadequate shelter provisions have also emerged as a concern, as families in tents are lacking essential ground cover and sleeping mats, compromising their comfort and safety.

Additionally, there is a notable absence of facilities for the evacuation of animals, which poses additional stress for affected families.

Monitoring difficulties persist due to the complex layout of entry points within the six-kilometer expanded danger zone, complicating efforts to ensure safety./ With reports from PNA / WDJ