The Sangguniang Panlalawigan officially declared Negros Occidental under a state of calamity on Friday, Dec. 13, with a price freeze imposed on basic necessities and prime commodities to mitigate the effects of Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.
As this developed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday assured the public that the national government will step up its response to help those affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption.
“We will step up. We will level up. Any escalation in damages and destruction will be met with a stronger government response,” the president said in a video message amid concerns of local government officials on the mounting evacuation cost.
Marcos assured that all concerned agencies are ready and prepared to help the people in Negros Island displaced by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
Ensuring the safety of the people is the top priority, the President said.
Marcos said the target is to evacuate a total of 84,000.
The 14,922 evacuees in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental dropped to 10,864 on Friday with some having gone home, Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head, said.
There were 8,188 evacuees in La Castellana, 211 in Bago City and 2,465 in La Carlota City, she said.
Those who went home where affected by the ash fall but live outside the 6 kilometer radius of Kanlaon Volcano Only those from within the six kilometer radius are required to evacuate, La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said.
CRY FOR HELP
Mangilimutan, whose town has the most number of evacuees, said she is happy the president has heard their cry for help.
She said their local government funds were depleting and they have had to also rely on donations from other LGUs and the private sector.
But what is more important is to find a permanent relocation site for those living in the danger zone, Mangilimutan said.
There has to be a permanent future plan, which needs national government help, she said.
The president on Friday said he has ordered the Department of Budget and Management to release appropriate funds for the families affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption.
The Department of Health is also on alert against diseases caused by volcanic ash, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Task Force Kanlaon are ready for any eventuality, the president said.
DOH is ready to airlift additional medicines when needed, he said.
“The forward-deployed relief items of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) such as family food packs and non-food items, will be poured into the evacuation centers. This includes clean water, sleeping and hygiene kits,” he added.
‘TRUTH WILL SAVE LIVES’
The President also stressed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection in Negros were placed on high alert.
Task Force Kanlaon would guide the public on disaster response in case the volcano’s eruption worsens, he said.
He stressed the importance of proper communication amid Kanlaon’s restiveness.
“Truth will save lives. Fake news kills. Effective disaster response is anchored on reliable information,” Marcos said.
Board Member Rommel Debulgado (right) reads the resolution seeking the declaration of a state of calamity at the SP session presided by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.*
STATE OF CALAMITY
Meanwhile, 11 members of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a special session on Friday unanimously approved a resolution of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Thursday recommending the declaration of a state of calamity, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said.
This will enable the provincial government to use its P78 million quick response fund to aid about 33, 806 residents living in the six kilometer radius of the volcano who are being evacuated.
The state of calamity allows the provincial government and other local government units to use their calamity funds to aid areas affected by Kanlaon’s eruption on Monday.
The price freeze was imposed to curb predatory pricing by businesses and hoarding of goods, the resolution said.
The resolution also allows the provincial government to adopt alternative modes of procurement to respond to emergency needs, and reprogram funds for public infrastructure and facilities.
CHURCH DRIVE
Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church in Negros has activated the One Negros Sub-Cluster Humanitarian Team to coordinate aid to the evacuees, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said.
It is composed of the dioceses of Bacolod, San Carlos, Kabankalan and Dumaguete.
Rapid Assessment Teams are being deployed in areas affected by the Kanlaon eruption in Negros Island, he said.*