The ongoing unrest of Mt. Kanlaon threatens to impact at least 16,000 farmers from five localities across Negros Island, an official from the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

Engineer Albert Barogo, DA-Negros Island Region (NIR) regional executive director, informed the Philippine News Agency that they have compiled data on internally displaced persons who are farmers, in preparation for assistance should a major eruption occur.

Barogo said 7,171 affected farmers are from Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, while 8,841 are from La Carlota City, La Castellana, Bago City, and Murcia.

The identification of these farmers is based on the DA’s Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), which has been validated by local government units.

Barogo assured that efforts are being made to accommodate farmers not currently listed in the RSBSA by allowing post-disaster registration.

“Currently, the DA cannot release any assistance to these farmers as they are not allowed yet to return to their homes and farms within the volcano’s permanent danger zone,” he said.

The DA-NIR plans to submit a post-disaster rehabilitation program to the central office for funding from the agency’s P1-billion Quick Response Fund.

Planned interventions include the distribution of seeds, fertilizers, and livestock, as well as alternative livelihood support and infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads. (PNA)