By CESAR JOLITO III

Local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano continue to await the release of financial assistance from the national government worth P203 million, weeks after exhausting their local calamity funds to support displaced residents.

Donato Sermeno III, director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Negros Island Region, confirmed that several LGUs, especially La Castellana town, are now critically low on response funds.

Sermeno revealed that the municipality has only P50 left in its quick response fund after using it to support internally displaced persons affected by the eruption.

He stressed the urgency of receiving financial aid from the national government, particularly through the Department of Budget and Management, so that LGUs can replenish their emergency funds and prepare for future disasters.

While no official statement has been made indicating the cancellation of aid, Sermeno noted that the prolonged wait is putting local disaster response capacities at risk.

Among the LGUs requesting additional financial aid are La Carlota City, which sought P63 million; Himamaylan City with P62.5 million; La Castellana town with P48.5 million; and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City, which requested P29.7 million.

The OCD earlier admitted it cannot intervene in the release of additional financial assistance to LGUs affected by the volcanic unrest./CJ, WDJ