Negros Occidental provincial government employees delivering supplies to an evacuation center*
The Negros Occidental provincial government is preparing activities to make Christmas Day fun for 8,270 evacuees from the Mt. Kanlaon 6-kilometer expanded danger zone now staying at 18 evacuation centers.
There are 6,282 evacuees in La Castellana, 470 in Bago City and 1,518 in La Carlota City, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson would be joining the evacuees on Christmas Day.
Diaz did not give specifics on the Christmas Day activities at the evacuation centers. It would not be a surprise if he disclosed the details, the governor will make the announcement, Diaz said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government has initially allocated P33 million from its P78 million quick response fund, P14 million of which will be used to feed the evacuees and the staff at the evacuation centers.
We are on our 9th day since the evacuation so the funds just allocated will be for 14 days more, Diaz said.
The Office of Civil Defense said the expected evacuation period would be three weeks, if no other Kanlaon eruption occurs, he said.
If the evacuation period is extended the provincial government will allocate more funds, he said.
COMMUNITY KITCHENS
The provincial government is setting up community kitchens in the 18 evacuation centers in the province to feed lunch and dinner to the evacuees, he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will take care of breakfast, he said.
The provincial government is also purchasing portalets to ensure sanitation at the evacuation centers, Diaz said.
The provincial government community kitchens will include staff, LPG cook sets and other needs, he said.
The provincial government will also provide fuel for vehicles and equipment, and other supplies needed to respond to the needs of those affected by the volcano’s explosion, he added.
Diaz said while the provincial government has allocated funds for the evacuation, everyone from the private sector are also welcome to help.
“We’re praying the evacuees can go home by New Year’s Day,” he said.*