President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned over ₱30 million each for the local government of Canlaon City and the provincial government of Negros Oriental in response to the December 9 eruption of Mount Kanlaon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Friday.
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. facilitated the transfer of financial assistance during a recent meeting with local officials and disaster management representatives.
It supports ongoing efforts to address increased volcanic activity with Negros Occidental having declared already a State of Calamity. Negros Oriental faces challenges in making a similar declaration due to legal restrictions that require at least two cities or municipalities to be affected.
Canlaon City previously reported that it could only sustain support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for three to four days, underscoring the urgent need for additional assistance from the national government.
The city recommended that additional funds be allocated specifically for response efforts affecting the six local government units (LGUs) involved.
Current conditions were complicated by low signal bandwidth in Canlaon City, hindering communication and coordination efforts. Additionally, the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the LGU was already depleting, impacting its ability to provide necessary support.
OCD Central Visayas Director Joel Erestain thanked the President for the timely assistance.
“We are grateful to President Marcos for this early Christmas gift. This funding will significantly ease the burdens of those affected by the Kanlaon eruption, especially the IDPs who will spend the holiday season in evacuation centers,” Erestain said.
“It is a crucial step in ensuring that our communities receive the support they need during this challenging time,” he added.
Erestain also reported that the OCD Central Office has increased their fuel allocation for the QRF to ₱1 million per month to support Canlaon City’s needs.
“This fuel will be used for relief operations, including transportation, the use of heavy equipment for clearing operations, and generators,” Erestain noted. “In total, this will provide approximately 4,450 liters of gasoline and around 13,350 liters of diesel.”
As the region continues to grapple with the impacts of volcanic activity, the national government’s support aims to enhance response efforts and ensure that those affected receive the essential care and assistance during this critical period, according to OCD.