By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The city government of Davao has provided PHP3.8 million in financial aid to local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island that were severely affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption in December 2024.
The assistance includes PHP1 million each for the provincial governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, PHP500,000 each for the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and Canlaon, and PHP300,000 for Vallehermoso town.
Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Retired Police Lt. Col. Alfredo Baloran personally turned over the checks during his visit to these localities on Feb. 3 and 4.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo expressed gratitude to Davao City for its generosity toward the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in his city.
“This help brings hope that everything will come to pass as long as everybody is helping each other,” Yulo said.
La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on also thanked Davao City for its support of over 1,000 evacuees in his area.
He emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation in disaster response, stating that the financial assistance would bolster ongoing relief efforts and provide essential support to displaced residents in evacuation centers.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Negros Oriental has recorded 1,968 families, or 6,314 individuals, affected by the Dec. 9 eruption.
Of these, 1,063 families, or 3,417 individuals, remain in evacuation centers, while 910 families, or 2,912 individuals, are staying outside the camps.
In Negros Occidental, close to 6,000 evacuees are still receiving assistance nearly two months after the eruption.
Meanwhile, the cities of Silay and La Carlota in Negros Occidental have joined forces to strengthen disaster response and management in light of the ongoing challenges posed by Mt. Kanlaon’s activity.
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego and Jalando-on signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, committing to collaborate on disaster preparedness, resource sharing, evacuation planning, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery.
“This is not just a formal agreement—it is a symbol of unity, resilience, and preparedness,” Gallego said.
He added that by working together, both cities aim to enhance coordination, optimize resources, and deliver immediate assistance to affected residents.
La Carlota officials stated that the agreement reinforces the commitment of both cities to a unified and effective disaster response, ensuring better outcomes during emergencies.
