Cash assistance worth P17.5M distributed to Kanlaon eruption victims - DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday distributed cash assistance amounting to P17.5 million to Negros Occidental families who were affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended the aid distribution, where 1,752 families received P10,000 each in addition to food and non-food items.

Of the 1,752 families, 1,500 were residents of La Castellana, while the rest were from Bago City.

Earlier in the day, Gatchalian visited the evacuation center at La Castellana Elementary School to check on the affected families.

Kanlaon Volcano is currently at Alert Level 2 after it erupted on June 3.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that entry into the volcano's four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to Kanlaon are prohibited.

Sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may also occur. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News