P11.9-M allocated; NegOcc Capitol resumes food assistance for Kanlaon evacuees

Posted by siteadmin
February 5, 2025
Posted in HEADLINE
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed the presence of a superheated plume at Kanlaon Volcano’s crater early yesterday morning, February 2, 2025. The plume, creating a “crater glow,” is a result of ash emissions observed at the volcano since November 2024, Phivolcs says. It was detected using infrared camera technology, allowing for visibility of phenomena not seen by the naked eye. (John Kimwell Laluma photo)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed the presence of a superheated plume at Kanlaon Volcano’s crater on February 2, 2025. The plume, creating a “crater glow,” is a result of ash emissions observed at the volcano since November 2024, Phivolcs says. It was detected using infrared camera technology, allowing for visibility of phenomena not seen by the naked eye. (John Kimwell Laluma photo)

By JEN BAYLON

The Negros Occidental provincial government resumed the second round of food assistance for the evacuees of Kanlaon Volcano in three local government units affected by the volcanic eruption.

Chiqui Gonzales, provincial social welfare and development officer, said the Capitol is expected to spend P13 million on food aid for displaced residents staying inside 17 evacuation centers in the cities of Bago and La Carlota, as well as La Castellana town.

Gonzales said the budget for the second round of assistance has been reduced from P17 million spent from December 24, 2024 to January 6, in response to Kanlaon’s explosive eruption on December 9.

The reduction is attributed to the lower number of evacuees remaining in the evacuation facilities, which dropped by 60 percent, Gonzales said.

Current data shows there are 4,511 evacuees in La Castellana, 1,213 in La Carlota and 76 in Bago.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the provincial government has allocated P11.9 million for the community kitchen feeding program good for 30 days.

Diaz said from an initial estimate of 10,000 evacuees, approximately 6,000 will benefit from the food prepared by the community kitchens established in these centers.

The menu is set for a month, featuring a “one meat a day” policy to ensure variety and prevent monotony in meals.

An orientation and briefing for 40 job order workers serving as cooks was also held on Monday, February 3, Diaz said.

The provincial government has also started buying supplies for the feeding program.

128 additional tents 

An additional 128 family tents have been installed in the proposed tent city in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan for the evacuees of Kanlaon, the Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) said.

OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III expressed optimism that the tent city will be fully operational by the end of February.

Sermeno said the OCD plans to establish a total of 500 tents that will serve as temporary shelters for evacuees.

The 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army will provide security in the area.

Earlier, the OCD-6 announced plans to establish additional tent cities in northern Negros Occidental, which would necessitate immediate evacuations from Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Fernandez revealed that, aside from Himamaylan, OCD also plans to set up tent cities in Silay City and Talisay City.

Silay and Talisay have been identified as sites for the tent cities, where residents may need to be evacuated swiftly should the volcanic activities increase.

OCD in Western Visayas is also mulling the construction of additional tent cities at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, as well as in Kabankalan City.

In neighboring Negros Oriental, similar preparations are being made, where tent cities are slated for Vallehermoso town and Guihulngan City.

Earlier, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Kanlaon had started to drop, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Around 1,691 tons of SO2 emissions were recorded, with plumes reaching 100 meters from the summit, which also decreased in the next succeeding days, Phivolcs said.

Three ash eruptions, lasting 17 to 98 minutes, and nine volcanic earthquakes, including three volcanic tremors, have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Alert Level 3 is still hoisted over the volcano./JB, WDJ

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