The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is hoping for the inclusion of the Kanlaon Recovery and Development Plan’s funding in the 2026 national budget.
Donato Sermeno III, OCD Negros Island Region director, said on Thursday, August 21, that the OCD is working to fast-track the plan’s preparation.
A meeting of the National Task Force Kanlaon, which will include representatives from national government agencies and local government units (LGUs), is scheduled for the first week of September, he said.
Sermeno said that lobbying for the funding will need the assistance of congressmen.
In the meantime, financial assistance for LGUs affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest — Bago City, La Carlota City, Canlaon City, and La Castellana — will be sourced from the OCD’s quick response fund rather than the Department of Budget and Management as originally disclosed, he said.
The funds will be allocated to address urgent needs as identified, he said.*