By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, has urged the national government to allow the province to access its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to support the city, heavily affected by the ongoing eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Cardenas emphasized the city’s limited resources, which he said are insufficient to sustain the 6,000 evacuees. Despite having a PHP4.5-million QRF and a previous allocation of PHP5 million from the provincial government, the situation remains critical.
“Canlaon City can only survive three to four days with these current evacuees,” Cardenas said during a press briefing on Thursday.
The city has been under a state of calamity since June 3 when the eruption began. However, since only Canlaon City has been significantly affected, the province cannot declare a state of calamity, which is a legal prerequisite for unlocking additional resources.
Cardenas also pointed out the strain on food supplies, saying evacuees repeatedly receive the same food packs and need more variety. “Imagine food packs for every meal. We also need variation for our evacuees,” he said.
He called for special legislation or direct national government intervention to grant access to provincial calamity funds. Cardenas expressed gratitude to Governor Manuel Sagarbarria for ongoing efforts to find alternative support.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, prompting mandatory evacuations within a six-kilometer radius. Nine sitios across five barangays have been affected, with evacuees relocated to evacuation centers.
“We’ve done our part to serve them and prioritize their safety over comfort,” Cardenas said, though he acknowledged the challenge of sustaining this approach due to dwindling resources.
Cardenas noted that while the provincial budget is available, legal restrictions prevent its mobilization without a broader declaration of calamity involving at least two local government units (LGUs).
He also highlighted differences with neighboring Negros Occidental, where a state of calamity was declared after eight localities were affected by the eruption. The disparity complicates access to resources for Negros Oriental.
Governor Sagarbarria assured the public that the province is working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of National Defense (DND). He also sought support from nearby LGUs, such as Vallehermoso, to meet the criteria for a provincial state of calamity.
“If national agencies permit the declaration of a state of calamity, it would greatly aid Canlaon City,” Sagarbarria said. He added that although PHP25 million remains in the provincial budget, its use requires clearance from the national government or a regional declaration.
The eruption has also affected nearby provinces, including Iloilo and Guimaras, which Sagarbarria suggested might trigger a regional state of calamity. This would automatically extend to Negros Oriental, enabling access to the QRF.
In the meantime, the province plans to provide PHP5,000 in cash assistance to 1,000 affected families. The DSWD reported that it has so far distributed PHP844,860 worth of food packs and non-food items, with assurances of support until year-end.
Relocation Challenges
Sagarbarria acknowledged the difficulty of relocating residents living near the volcano. Many are reluctant to leave because of their livelihoods. While national laws prohibit permanent settlements near the volcano, he stressed the importance of listening to the residents’ concerns.
“We will assess the situation carefully and consider their needs before any relocation plans,” he said.
For now, local officials are urging cooperation and continued vigilance, given the unpredictable nature of the eruption. Cardenas also called on Canlaon residents to stay resilient and pray for divine intervention.
“We’ve asked all churches in the city to hold chain prayers for Kanlaon Volcano,” he said.
