Negros Occ Guv Assures Aid for Kanlaon Evacuees

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by the December 9 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, particularly to sustain evacuees’ daily needs.

Lacson acknowledged the financial strain on LGUs housing evacuees and promised provincial support.

“The problem of these LGUs is how to sustain the daily provision of the evacuees housed in the evacuation centers because of lack of funds,” Lacson said Tuesday.

The governor emphasized that the provincial government will exert efforts to help, while also banking on national agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for continuous food pack distribution.

Lacson pointed to La Castellana as one of the hardest-hit areas.

“I think they already spent their budget in the first eruption last June. We will see what we can do,” he added.

He called on the private sector to contribute, highlighting the importance of water, evacuation kitchens for cooking, sanitary kits, and sleeping kits.

“Anything that can alleviate the living condition of our evacuees, they can either go directly to La Castellana or any LGU of their choice that is affected, including Bago and La Carlota, or course it through the province,” Lacson said.

Lacson also confirmed he sought help from the national government through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro but stressed the need for local action while waiting for assistance.

“In the meantime, while waiting, we have to do it by ourselves,” he said.

Bago City Mayor Nicolas Yulo earlier expressed concerns about sustaining provisions for evacuees, noting that even with the Quick Response Fund (QRF), food supply may not last beyond January.

The Sanggunian Panlungsod of Bago City declared the city under a state of calamity to expedite the release of its PHP 18 million QRF, which will be fully allocated for evacuees.

La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said their town remains under a state of calamity since June, following Kanlaon’s earlier eruption.

Nicor-Mangilimutan shared the same concerns, admitting that their LGU has already exhausted its resources.

“We have already used up our budget,” she said.

The December 9 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano displaced hundreds of families, placing immense pressure on local governments to provide food, shelter, and other necessities.

Lacson appealed to civil society groups, NGOs, and private entities to step in and help affected communities during this critical period.