By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said funding immediate response efforts in managing the situation at Kanlaon Volcano emerged as a critical concern.

“We talked about the short- and long-term solutions, and the short-term was basically funding,” Lacson said yesterday.

He noted that local chief executives in the province indicated that their eruption response budgets are dwindling.

This prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his arrival in Negros Occidental on Friday, February 21, to suggest utilizing the quick response fund to address these financial challenges.

“Our local chief executives manifested local funds are running out. It was very clear to the president that local government units are facing difficulties in funding sources,” Lacson said.

Even La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on suggested that they could use the 20 percent development fund, which is for infrastructure.

“So that was not allowed,” Lacson said.

However, he emphasized that Marcos understood the need for increased financial support for evacuees to effectively tackle the ongoing concerns surrounding Kanlaon.

As to the province, the governor said they are hitting P40 million from the provincial fund, which was spent on the evacuees.

Most of the funds were spent on food following Kanlaon’s explosive eruption in December last year.

Lacson further said the province has received the deed of donation from the Office of the President for the P50 million donation for Kanlaon evacuees.

“We will start tapping the said funds, especially for the food and feeding the evacuees, starting next month,” he said.

Lacson also highlighted the urgency of the situation, referencing the prolonged funding issues faced during the Mayon Volcano’s eruption in Albay province.

“During Mayon Volcano’s eruption, it took them six months to sustain, which we definitely cannot afford,” he said.

Lacson said Marcos proposed strengthening the Kanlaon Task Force and suggested reconvening to discuss further details on this initiative.

“The president is aware of that. That is a possibility that more funds can be given to Negros Occidental to address the issue of Kanlaon,” the governor said.

“We could meet again and discuss the details,” he added./JB, WDJ