An evacuation center in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, where displaced residents have been living for more than four months.*OCD photo
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is hopeful that additional assistance from the national government will help pave the way for the establishment of permanent shelters for those who have been severely affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest.
Lacson, in a statement issued on Sunday, April 13, said he is deeply grateful to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and to the Office of Civil Defense under Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno for the forthcoming additional financial assistance to local government units affected by the continuous and prolonged unrest of Mt. Kanlaon.
Local government units affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island will soon receive P63 million in additional financial assistance from the Office of the President, Nepomuceno was quoted by the Philippine News Agency as saying during his visit to La Carlota City on Friday.
“We thank the President for recognizing the urgency of the situation and for responding to the needs of our people. The prolonged evacuation has placed a heavy burden on our communities and local governments, and we truly appreciate that Malacañang has acknowledged this need and acted swiftly to provide support,” Lacson said.
There are 1,770 families with 5,673 members displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest who have been living in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental since its Dec. 9 eruption.
“Ensuring the safety and dignity of our people remains our top priority, and we are thankful that we are not alone in this effort,” Lacson said.*