By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, has declared a state of calamity due to the ongoing volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon.
The Office of the Civil Defense announced the declaration on Dec. 25, in anticipation of a potential surge of evacuees if Alert Levels 4 or 5 are issued.
Vallehermoso, near Canlaon City, is expected to serve as a critical evacuation site. On Dec. 20, the Municipal Council passed a resolution to ensure preparedness, aiming to streamline evacuation efforts and improve coordination with various agencies.
This makes Vallehermoso the second local government unit (LGU) in Negros Oriental to declare a state of calamity due to Kanlaon’s activity. Canlaon City has been under a similar declaration since the June 3 eruption.
The resolution highlights the need for disaster management collaboration among local governments to protect public safety.
Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria previously sought support from LGUs, including Vallehermoso, to enable the provincial government to utilize the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for assisting affected residents of Canlaon City.
The national government recently provided PHP 30 million each to Canlaon City and the provincial government for relief efforts following the Dec. 9 eruption. Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the swift response, saying the funding will ease the burden on evacuees and ensure their safety.
As of Dec. 26, 5,802 individuals, or 1,778 families, have been housed in 10 evacuation camps in Canlaon City. Another 643 families, or 2,014 individuals, are staying outside evacuation centers, totaling 7,816 evacuees across 2,421 families.
The city government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7, will provide PHP 3,000 to families living within the four- to six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) but staying outside evacuation centers. Families living beyond the six-kilometer radius who have evacuated will receive food packs and cash assistance but are advised to return home afterward.
Vulnerable groups in evacuation centers will also receive PHP 2,000 in cash aid. Beneficiary validation was conducted on Dec. 26.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified unrest. As of 12 a.m. on Dec. 27, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported three ash emissions lasting 12 to 52 minutes, along with 16 volcanic earthquakes, including six tremors.
On Dec. 26, sulfur dioxide emissions totaled 5,756 tonnes, with plumes reaching 100 meters and continuous degassing accompanied by occasional ash emissions.
