About 14,000 families in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental will receive financial support from the government beginning this Monday, July 1, in the wake of the June 3 eruption of Mount Kanlaon, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas announced.
This comes as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report a surge in volcanic activity in Kanlaon and Taal Volcanoes.
Cardenas said the assistance ranges from P3,000 to P10,000 per family through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the national government. A quarter of the expected beneficiaries are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.
The mayor thanked President Marcos for the swift response and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which has already distributed essential relief packs to affected families. Cardenas stated it is their priority to ensure that every family gets help to recover from the incident.
In addition to AICS, programs like the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP), and Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fishermen, and their Families (PAFFF) are also mobilizing resources to support the community.
President Marcos visited Negros Oriental on June 27, 2024, to allocate P50 million to aid farmers and fishermen in their recovery efforts. The local government unit (LGU) is currently validating 5,000 vegetable farmers and 3,236 rice farmers to ensure they receive the necessary support.
As relief efforts continue, PHIVOLCS and NDRRMC reported significant volcanic activity. Over the weekend, Kanlaon experienced 14 volcanic earthquakes, a marked increase from the previous count. It also emitted a record high of 5,397 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) per day from its summit crater.
Meanwhile, Taal Volcano also showed heightened activity. On June 29, 2024, it experienced two weak phreatic (steam-driven) events, each lasting about a minute. These produced steam-laden plumes rising 800 meters above the main crater; SO2 emissions from Taal averaged 6,571 tons per day.
Both PHIVOLCS and NDRRMC have reiterated strict prohibitions against entering the Permanent Danger Zones around Kanlaon and Taal due to their potential for sudden hazardous eruptions.
The agencies emphasize the importance of vigilance and readiness, assuring the public that any significant changes in volcanic activity will be promptly communicated.