The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) allocated over P2 billion in funds and stockpiles to assist those affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, a spokesperson announced Saturday.
At a Quezon City news forum, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao explained that the resources included:
- P92.2 million in standby funds at the central and regional offices.
- Over P1.1 billion in family food packs.
- More than P891 million in non-food and additional food items.
In total, these resources amount to P2 billion, Dumlao said.
As of Saturday, the DSWD has provided over P14.7 million in humanitarian assistance to affected residents.
The disaster has impacted over 10,000 families or 42,000 individuals across 25 barangays in Regions VI and VII.
Of those affected, 4,600 families (more than 15,000 people) were staying in 28 evacuation centers in the affected regions.
Another 1,100 families (around 3,900 people) were temporarily residing with relatives or friends.
The DSWD continued to coordinate closely with local government units to ensure the delivery of aid and monitoring of evacuees.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured the public on Friday that the government was actively managing the situation, with the Department of Budget and Management directed to release disaster funds.
The Department of Health (DOH) was monitoring health conditions and addressing potential eruption-related diseases.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Negros Island remained on high alert.
Kanlaon Volcano erupted Monday afternoon, emitting a 3,000-meter plume, leading the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise an Alert Level 3, signaling magmatic unrest and potential for hazardous eruptions. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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