The mayors of the towns and cities affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest have informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that their local funds are running out, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, Feb. 24.
Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and the mayors whose constituents have been staying in evacuation centers for more than two months met with the president during his visit to La Carlota City on Friday, Feb. 21.
“The president suggested or brought up the idea about funding the quick response fund (QRF),” Lacson said.
“It was very clear to the president that the local government units are facing difficulties in funding source,” Lacson said.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas also suggested that AICS or assistance to individuals in crisis situation be distributed to the evacuee families every month.
Lacson said they were informed that at Mayon Volcano it took government six months to sustain the evacuees.
“Definitely we cannot afford that, the president is aware of that and there is a possibility that more funds could be given to Negros Occidental to address the issue of Mt. Kanlaon”, Lacson said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government has so far spent about P40 million for the feeding of the evacuees since December.
Lacson said last week he finally received the deed of donation for the P50 million aid from Malacañang that can be used to feed the evacuees for about two months, assuming their number does not increase, he said.
Under Alert Level 4 with the increase of evacuees the P50 million will probably only be good for two weeks, Lacson said.
The mayors present at the meeting with the president on Friday were Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Rex Janlandoon of La Carlota City, Rhummyla Mangilimutan of La Castellana and Gerry Rojas of Murcia in Negros Occidental, and Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.*