The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Region VII – Central Visayas heightened its operation response in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, in preparation for the Oplan Exit Operations During Uncertainties Strategy or “Plan EXODUS” of the LGU via intensifying the prepositioning of its Food and Non-food Items (FNFIs) and identification of evacuation centers in nearby Local Government Unit (LGU) within Negros Oriental.

As of December 30, 10 a.m, DSWD 7 has already prepositioned a total of 40,122 Family Food Packs (FFPs) worth PHP 25,995,868.00 and 8,948 Non-Food Items (NFIs) worth PHP 14,003,964.50 in the Negros Island Region (NIR).

These prepositioned goods consist of family kits, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, modular tents, and laminated sacks, including Camp Management Kits, Women Friendly Space Kits (WFS), and Child-Friendly Space Kits (CFS).

Based on the LGU Canlaon City Contingency Plan, the nearby LGUs of Vallehermoso, Guihulngan City, La Libertad, Ayungon, and Tayasan will open evacuation centers and host the internally displaced persons if the worst-case scenario happens.

In addition, DSWD 7 Disaster Response Management Division Chief Lilibeth Cabiara shared that a team from LGU Canlaon City and the CCCM Cluster will visit the evacuation centers of the host LGUs and assess their compliance with the required minimum standards.

“The DSWD will ensure that the designated centers of these local government units are fully prepared and equipped to accommodate families and individuals who may need to evacuate,” Cabiara said.

Moreover, QRT Vice Chairperson for Administration (ARDA) Tonyson Luther Lee shared that the department is working closely with the LGU of Canlaon City to ensure fast and immediate response operations in case of an eruption.

“We are continuously coordinating with the Local Government Unit of Canlaon City, under the leadership of Mayor Jose Cardenas Cubacho, to ensure that our operational response is fully aligned. Additionally, the DSWD 7 Quick Response Team (QRT) is working around the clock in the evacuation centers to guarantee that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) receive the necessary support during their temporary stay in the camps,” Lee shared.

Further, QRT Chairperson and Regional Director Shalaine Lucero assured that the department continues to monitor the situation in Canlaon City, intensifying the prepositioning of Food and Non-food Items to the agency’s warehouse and preposition sites in Negros Oriental.

“DSWD 7 has remained steadfast in monitoring the situation in Canlaon City, ensuring that our responses are timely and effective. Furthermore, we have taken proactive measures by replenishing our warehouses and prepositioning sites in Negros Oriental with Family Food Packs (FFPs) and Non-Food Items (NFIs), ensuring the swift and efficient distribution of aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in case of an eruption,” Lucero shared.

According to the Local Government Unit of Canlaon City, Plan EXODUS aims to establish a systematic approach for the transportation of residents affected by the Mt. Kanlaon volcanic eruption to designated evacuation centers in Vallehermoso and Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, neighboring towns of Canlaon City, ensuring temporary shelter and the provision of basic essentials for families during an explosive eruption. ###

(63) Views