PCG ready to assist LGUs affected by Kanlaon Volcano eruption

The Philippine Coast Guard said it has alerted its units to assist local government units and concerned agencies following the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano on Monday evening.

In a statement on Tuesday, PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said that deployable response groups (DRGs) and rescue assets of the PCG Western Visayas are on standby for immediate dispatch.

“Our vessels and aerial assets at the National Headquarters here in Manila are now on standby for possible augmentation. We are in constant communication with our regional counterpart in Negros Island to make sure that the PCG can provide immediate assistance to the affected residential communities. Our partners from the PCG Auxiliary are now preparing their resources and manpower for the conduct of humanitarian missions,” said Balilo.

Meanwhile, nearby Coast Guard Districts have also been instructed to prepare their Quick Response Teams to assist in operations.

As of Tuesday, 1,562 individuals or 210 families in Negros Occidental have reportedly been displaced by the eruption, which affected up to 84 barangays in over 10 different cities and municipalities.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has placed the entire province of Negros Occidental on Blue Alert just hours after the eruption at 6:51 p.m. on Monday. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News