By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson remains hopeful for additional funds from the national government for internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the Dec. 9, 2024, eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
“We are also hoping for an additional budget from the national government,” Lacson said.
The provincial government resumed serving hot meals to thousands of Kanlaon evacuees on March 15, 2025.
Lacson said the PHP50 million budget from the Office of the President is expected to last two months.
The provincial government established community kitchens in the three local government units most affected by the eruption: La Castellana, La Carlota and Bago City.
These kitchens aim to provide meals for evacuees who have been staying in evacuation centers for more than three months.
Lacson said more than PHP30 million of the Malacañang fund has been allocated for food assistance and site development for permanent relocation areas in the affected localities.
The remaining funds will cover another round of food assistance for evacuees, he added.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that a total of 4,319 families, or nearly 14,000 individuals, have been displaced by the eruption.
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan earlier said she requested PHP47 million in financial aid from Malacañang to replenish disaster funds, as the town’s 2025 Quick Response Fund has already been depleted.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it is not yet ready to lower Kanlaon’s Alert Level 3 status.
The volcano remains at a high level of unrest, continues to emit ash and is still being rocked by several earthquakes.
