Alternative livelihood training for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption, will be provided, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said on Friday, Jan. 3.
This is so they have opportunities to rebuild and sustain their lives after the disaster that has caused them to evacuate and leave behind their sources of livelihood, he said.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Daniel Alfonso Atayde and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Alejandro E. Rafal held a meeting with Cardenas and other city officials to discuss the training for alternative livelihoods.
The focus was on recovery plans for farmers affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption and exploring alternative livelihoods for the community, Cardenas said.
The alternative livelihood training will be undertaken with the support of the Department of Labor and Employment.
“This collaborative effort reflects a strong commitment to the resilience and recovery of our local communities,” a Canlaon City statement said.
There are 7,816 Canlaon City residents who have evacuated out of the 6-kilometer Kanlaon Volcano danger zone, Cardenas said.
The source of livelihood of the majority of the evacuees is vegetable farming.
There are 5,802 evacuees staying in ten evacuation camps in Canlaon City, while 2,014 are living outside the evacuation centers.*l