The Negros Occidental provincial government resumed delivering supplies to its community kitchens on Tuesday, July 22, to provide meals for residents displaced by Kanlaon Volcano’s ongoing unrest.
The displaced residents are currently housed in evacuation centers in La Castellana, Bago City, and La Carlota City.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz announced that the provincial government is allocating P5.8 million to feed an estimated 2,000 evacuees in Negros Occidental for 30 days.
This “sixth wave” feeding program will be fully funded by the provincial government, as the remaining balance from the P50 million previously provided by Malacañang is no longer sufficient, Diaz said.
The remaining P2.7 million from the Malacañang fund will be used for other initiatives, pending the governor’s decision, he said.
Donato Sermeno III, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR), reported that as of Monday, there were 4,156 evacuees in the NIR, though these figures are still undergoing validation.
In Negros Occidental, La Castellana currently hosts 1,463 evacuees, La Carlota City has 225, and Bago City has 81. Canlaon City in Negros Oriental accounts for 2,379 evacuees.
Sermeno reiterated that the “Red Alert” status remains in effect due to the prevailing Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest/Magmatic Unrest) over Kanlaon Volcano.
Possible lahar flow is being monitored, he added.*