The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Region 7 – Central Visayas distributed cash relief assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) to 1,729 Internally Displaced Families (IDFs) affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on December 21, 2024.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, together with DSWD Quick Response Team (QRT) Vice Chairperson for Operations Juanito Cantero, led the distribution of assistance to the Internally Displaced Families (IDFs) in the nine (9) evacuation camps.
Each family received a cash assistance of PHP 3,000.00, which amounts to PHP 5,187,000 in total.
Regional Director Shalaine Lucero said that the cash assistance is part of the Department’s heightened response to the IDFs of Mt. Kanlaon eruption, highlighting that no one will be left behind in these trying times.
“We want to reassure all the IDFs, currently taking shelter in the different evacuation centers, that the DSWD and the City Government of Canlaon are with you during these trying times. From the beginning, we have ensured that we are fully prepared to go above and beyond in our commitment to serve the people of Canlaon, ensuring that no one is left behind. This distribution will play a crucial role in bridging the gap and supporting our displaced residents as they recover from their current situation,” said Director Lucero.
According to an evacuee from Camp 1 at Macario Elementary Memorial School (MEMS), the cash assistance he received will be used for the coming holidays.
“Ang gamiton namo sa among nadawat na kwarta kay para ipalit namo sa amo tambal kay ako giubo ko karon. Ipalit pud namo amo makaon para pag-uli namo. Hapit na pod mag Christmas, so amo ni bang sa amo pamilya pang handa namo ug para makatigom mi. Dako na ni na tabang para sa amo pamilya, salamat gyud sa DSWD ug sa LGU (We will use the money we received to buy medicine for us because I have a cough right now. We will also buy food for our trip home. Christmas is almost here, so we will use this to help our family prepare for the celebration and to save up. This is a big help for our family, thank you very much to DSWD and the LGU),” said Fernando Bestoir, 62 years old, from Barangay Linothangan.
The AICS serves as a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the IDFs in coping with their present situation due to the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
As of December 21, 10 a.m., the total assistance that DSWD 7 has given for its Mt. Kanlaon response is PHP 15,977,428.21 with a total standby fund of PHP 300,000. ###
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