By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Four local government units on Negros Island will receive an additional PHP203.8 million from the national government for Kanlaon Volcano response efforts.
Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno confirmed this during a press briefing following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Elections to boost disaster risk reduction during the May 12 midterm polls.
The approved funds include PHP62.5 million for Himamaylan City, PHP63.1 million for La Carlota City, PHP48.5 million for La Castellana, all in Negros Occidental, and PHP29.7 million for Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Nepomuceno said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the allocation two weeks ago, and they are now awaiting the fund release.
“We expect it to be released anytime,” he added.
He said the OCD has been conducting relief operations in affected areas since the Dec. 9, 2024 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
“Sana matapos na, kaso walang makapagsabi kung kailan talaga siya puputok,” he said.
While Himamaylan City has not been heavily affected by eruptions or ashfall, part of its budget will be used to set up a tent city for potential relocation if the situation worsens.
Nepomuceno said the funds for other LGUs will cover food, fuel, medical supplies, and other logistical needs.
He reported that 2,600 families, or about 8,300 individuals, are currently staying in evacuation centers under Alert Level 3.
If the alert level rises to 4, the number of evacuees may increase to between 70,000 and 90,000 people.
Despite the ongoing threat of a major eruption, Nepomuceno assured that the government is prepared to assist affected residents across the island.
He visited affected LGUs, including Bago City in Negros Occidental, on Thursday, May 1.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan earlier requested PHP47 million to support 1,362 displaced families, or 4,244 individuals, from the December eruption.
The Negros Occidental provincial government had earlier received PHP50 million from the national government to augment local disaster response.
The fund has been used this year to support community kitchens and proposed relocation efforts in Bago City and La Castellana.
