The Bago City government declared a state of calamity on Monday, Dec. 16, to enable the release of its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to aid residents affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption, Mayor Nicholas Yulo said.
“This is to access the city’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) that will be utilized by our City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for necessary interventions” amounting to about P18M, Yulo said.
The Bago City Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for the declaration of a state of calamity in a special session presided by Vice Mayor Ramon Torres.
“The declaration of a state of calamity will expedite relief operations, mobilize resources, and enhance coordination among government agencies and stakeholders to address the needs of affected communities,” it said.
The declaration of the state of calamity includes a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities in Bago City in order to curb predatory pricing by businesses and hoarding of goods.
“Phivolcs is saying that signs indicate that Kanlaon could erupt at a greater intensity”, Yulo said.
One of the biggest problems Bago City is facing is sustainability, they expect to run out of resources to feed the evacuees by January, he said.
He called for prayers for the volcano to calm down so those in evacuation centers can have a bright Christmas, and for donations.
Yulo said 159 individuals or 49 families from Purok Manokan, Barangay Ilijan in Bago City living in the 6-kilometer danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano were evacuated on Monday.
After the evacuation was completed Monday the road would be closed, he said.
They had previously evacuated 113 families with 366 individuals who are now in four evacuation centers, Yulo said.
Kanlaon Volcano ash has affected all 24 barangays of Bago City, with Mailum, Ilijan, Ma-ao, and Binubuhan and among the worst hit, he added.
FIGHTING COCKS
Yulo said while some farm animals have been evacuated there are still a lot in the danger zone, many of which are fighting cocks being raised in numerous farms within the danger zone.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week declared the entire Negros Occidental under a state of calamity.
La Carlota City and La Castellana have also already declared states of calamity.*