Bacolod: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office-Negros Island Region (FO-NIR), is prepared to deliver swift assistance to residents in affected areas following Kanlaon Volcano's renewed eruption.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD NIR City Action Team (CAT) of Canlaon recently convened with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). The meeting focused on contingency planning and identifying potential evacuation centers. Specific roles and responsibilities were assigned to ensure a swift response if Kanlaon Volcano's activity intensifies, as stated by Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG).
Kanlaon Volcano recorded a moderately explosive eruption on Thursday afternoon, lasting two minutes, followed by a sustained ash emission for about 40 minutes. This activity generated a plume reaching approximately 2,000 meters above the crater.
According to the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the eruption caused ashfall and a sulfuric smell in 40 nearby villages. Among the affected communities were Bago City, Moises Padilla, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Hinigiran, and Valladolid. However, no ashfall was reported in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.
Assistant Secretary Dumlao noted that, through the Field Office NIR, there is close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) NIR. There is already advice to conduct preemptive evacuation within the 4 to 6-kilometer danger zone. Some local government units (LGUs) have already deployed emergency response teams in high-risk areas. In Canlaon City, rescue vehicles have been deployed at pick-up points in Barangays Pula and Masulog for those opting for preemptive evacuation.
The DSWD assured the public that sufficient resources are available to support families potentially affected by the volcanic activity. To date, a total of 223,608 family food packs have been prepositioned in the NIR, along with 10,549 ready-to-eat food boxes, 16,264 non-food items, and 1,225 other non-food items ready for immediate distribution.
