Marcos gives P60M for Kanlaon volcano response — OCD

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has provided P60-million aid for the victims of Kanlaon Volcano’s activity, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Friday.

In a statement, the OCD said Marcos gave P30 million each for Canlaon City and the Negros Oriental Province.

The turnover of the aid was led by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr. during a meeting with local officials and disaster management representatives.

According to the OCD, the Negros Oriental provincial government faced challenges in declaring a State of Calamity due to legal restrictions that require at least two cities or municipalities to be affected.

Canlaon City’s local government, meanwhile, reported that it could only sustain support for internally displaced persons for three to four days and that aid from the national government is needed.

“The city recommended that further funds be allocated specifically for response efforts affecting the six local government units involved. Current conditions were complicated by low signal bandwidth in Canlaon City, hindering communication and coordination efforts,” the OCD said.

“Additionally, the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for Canlaon City was already depleting, impacting its ability to provide necessary support,” it added.

Joel Erestain, OCD Central Visayas chief and Regional Task Force Kanlaon vice chairperson, thanked Marcos for the aid for the displaced population.

“This funding will significantly ease the burdens of those affected by the Kanlaon eruption, especially the IDPs who will spend the holiday season in evacuation centers. It is a crucial step in ensuring that our communities receive the support they need during this challenging time.”

Erestain said the OCD Central Office increased the fuel allocation for the QRF to P1 million per month to support Canlaon City’s needs.

“This fuel will be used for relief operations, including transportation, the use of heavy equipment for clearing operations, and generators. In total, this will provide approximately 4,450 liters of gasoline and around 13,350 liters of diesel,” he added.

On December 9, an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano, producing a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 4,000 meters.

Ashfall was reported and pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the slopes of the volcano.

Alert Level 3 remains over Kanlaon Volcano, which means there is a high level of volcanic unrest. Magmatic intrusion to shallow levels of the edifice is driving unrest, with indications that hazardous eruption could occur in weeks.

Possible hazards from the volcano include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current (PDC), rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.

Danger zone was expanded to a radius of six kilometers from the summit crater or active vent.

The OCD on Friday said 14,459 people or 4,607 families were staying in evacuation centers while 3,557 people or 1,070 families were taking shelter in other places. — Joviland Rita/BAP, GMA Integrated News