After the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, 2024, individuals and families living within the 6 km radius of the volcano have been evacuated by the local government unit of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

As of January 1, 2025, DSWD’s report indicates 11,888 FFPs have been distributed while 5,590 non-food items have been given since the relief operations started. All these provisions are valued at a total of Php 18,168,137.03.

The same report states that 1,805 families who live within a 6 km radius of the volcano have been evacuated and placed temporarily inside the established evacuation centers by the LGU and assisted by DSWD Field Office 7.

Of the number, 646 of them are seeking shelters outside the identified evacuation sites, either with their relatives or friends and are monitored by the LGU regularly.

The latest count of ECs established by LGUs reached 10 and continuously provided by DSWD with staff to manage camps and provide the necessary activities or interventions for the occupants.

Families affected received DSWD relief through the family food packs. Some also receive non-food items which include family kits, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and family tents.

All ECs received modular tents (for Camp 4 only), laminated sacks, women-friendly and children-friendly spaces, while some received water filtration kits.

All families have also received cash relief assistance of Php 2,000 to Php 3,000. Some 3,250 beneficiaries (individuals or per family) have received so far.

Quick Response Team Vice-Chairperson Tonyson Luther S. Lee said that DSWD’s efforts on the ground continue to be felt by the affected communities, especially by the LGU, in terms of augmentation support of these provisions, including the dedicated manpower of the agency deployed to do disaster response operations.

“What we are seeing on the ground is proof that the Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ spirit lives on, especially in the most difficult of times. Nagpasalamat ko sa tanang mga DSWD staff tungod sa ilang sakripsiyo ug pagdawat sa responsibilidad nga mo-alagad sa mga apektadong katawhan dinhi sa Canlaon City (I thank all the DSWD staff for their sacrifice and for accepting the responsibility to serve the affected people here in Canlaon City,” said Lee.

Assistance received

To keep a record of all the assistance received by affected families, whether from private or public sectors, DSWD continues to administer the FACED Tool or the Family Assistance Card in Emergencies and Disasters to families residing in camps.

Since the start of the response operations, DSWD has administered the FACED. The information gathered is used to determine the humanitarian assistance needed by them.

QRT Team 4 Action Officer Aileen G. Cuevas emphasized the importance of data collection. “Pinaagi sa mga datos, mas masabtan sa kadaghanan ang tinuod nga sitwasyon sa ground ug mahatag pa kanila ang ilang gikinahanglan nga mga serbisyo (Through data, people can better understand the real situation on the ground and can provide the affected with the services they need,” she said.

Cuevas added that data and accurate reports can also be used by other government agencies to send their interventions to the affected communities in Canlaon City.

The LGU also administered the FACED for families evacuating outside the established camps to have more unified response efforts and rehabilitation programs as well as help facilitate their efficient recovery and reintegration. ###

 

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