By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the national government remains ready to assist communities in the province should Kanlaon Volcano erupt again.
Lacson said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., during his recent visit to the province last week, expressed concern over the continuing challenges faced by families displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest and reaffirmed the commitment of the national government to support rehabilitation and recovery efforts in affected areas.
“He was very concerned about the rehabilitation of Kanlaon and committed that the national government will assist us, especially if it erupts again,” Lacson said.
The governor noted that the provincial government has already donated a relocation site in La Castellana to provide safer and more permanent shelter for evacuees living near danger zones around the volcano.
According to Lacson, the donated property is expected to become a long-term relocation area for families affected by volcanic activity, while the province continues coordinating with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for funding assistance to construct permanent housing units.
“As to the houses, we still have to connect with DHSUD. We hope they can put up some money for the building of houses because that is where we donated the property,” he said.
Former rebel reintegration
Beyond disaster response, Lacson said Teodoro also recognized Negros Occidental’s reintegration initiatives for former rebels, locally referred to as “peace volunteers.”
The governor said the province continues to provide livelihood and support programs aimed at helping former insurgents rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities.
“He was very happy with the cooperation of the province, especially our program for the returnees or peace volunteers, as we call them,” Lacson said.
“We continue assisting them so they can have a new life through livelihood projects,” the governor said.
The provincial government said continued coordination between local and national agencies is vital as Negros Occidental prepares for possible future volcanic activity while also sustaining rehabilitation and peace-building programs across affected communities./CJ, WDJ