Negros Occidental Spends PHP 1M Daily for Kanlaon Evacuees

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government is spending PHP 1 million daily to provide two meals to approximately 10,000 evacuees displaced by the Dec. 9 Kanlaon Volcano eruption, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said Friday.

Diaz clarified that the amount covers only the cost of raw materials and excludes labor expenses.

Community kitchen operations have been set up at evacuation centers in Bago City, La Carlota City, and La Castellana to feed evacuees, peace officers, volunteers, and camp management teams.

“We are grateful that local businesses have prioritized our logistics needs for the internally displaced persons (IDPs),” Diaz said.

He praised provincial government employees for their dedication, saying, “I’m proud of their volunteerism. They go beyond their duties, staying up late to ensure raw materials are delivered on time for lunch and dinner.”

Each day, the kitchens prepare 1,000 kilos of pork, 1,000 kilos of chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients, Diaz explained. Meals are cooked using a PHP 50 per person per meal budget, with the rice provided by local government units (LGUs).

The provincial government has also received a PHP 50 million grant from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for Kanlaon relief efforts. However, Diaz noted that they are awaiting utilization guidelines and timeframes for the funds.

He said the provincial government can sustain the feeding program for a month but would require additional support if the situation extends or if evacuee numbers increase.

GOVERNOR EVACUEES

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson visited 11 evacuation centers in La Castellana and La Carlota on Christmas Day to lift evacuees’ spirits and distribute burger treats.

“While they are in high spirits, everyone wants to go home,” Lacson said. He urged evacuees to remain patient and pray for Kanlaon’s activity to stabilize.

Lacson assured the evacuees that the provincial government has sufficient funds to sustain their needs for one month.

The governor also emphasized the ongoing danger of lahar flows, particularly during heavy rains, and warned residents to remain vigilant.

UPDATES AND SCENARIOS

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3. Current sulfur dioxide emissions indicate the possibility of further eruptions.

Three potential scenarios have been outlined by the OCD:

1. Continued Alert Level 3: Slow magma ascent leading to effusive activity and occasional explosive events.
2. Alert Level 4: Accelerated magma ascent caused by new intrusions.
3. Alert Level 2: Gas loss within magma halts eruptive activity temporarily but continues to pose threats.

EVACUATION AND SANITATION EFFORTS

As of Dec. 26, OCD records showed that 11,883 families, or 45,526 individuals, from 32 barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental were affected by the eruption.

Of these, 4,454 families (14,186 persons) are staying in 32 evacuation centers, while 2,185 families (6,953 persons) are outside the centers.

To maintain hygiene, 20 additional portalets arrived at the Provincial Capitol on Dec. 26 and are being deployed to evacuation centers in La Castellana and La Carlota City.