The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 – Central Visayas is ready to provide support and assistance to the Negros Island Region (NIR) in response to the recent explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, CESO III, stated that the department has prepared for the eruption by prepositioning immediate food and non-food items (FNFIs) in the nearby town of Canlaon City.
“In response to the recent volcanic unrest of Mt. Kanlaon, DSWD 7 has prepositioned 38,383 Family Food Packs across the Negros Island Region, ensuring swift support to affected families. Additionally, essential non-food items, such as hygiene, sleeping, and kitchen kits, have been stocked in nearby towns,” Lucero shared.
Moreover, RD Lucero emphasized that DSWD 7 is prepared to augment human resources to assist the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Negros Oriental should the situation escalate.
“Our Quick Response Team (QRT) is on standby to provide technical assistance to the PLGU of Negros Oriental if alert level 4 is declared. With thorough training and preparedness, we are confident that, by working together, we can save more lives and effectively manage the situation,” RD Lucero added.
Breakdown of Prepositioned Goods in Negros Oriental
Months before the recent volcanic eruption on May 13, 2025, DSWD 7, through its Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), ensured the prepositioning of Family Food Packs (FFPs) in the nearby towns of Canlaon City to provide immediate assistance to affected families.
In Negros Oriental, 38,383 FFPs amounting to Php 24,636,754.00 were prepositioned in various municipalities of the province.
As of May 13, 2025, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 has prepositioned Family Food Packs (FFPs) across Negros Oriental, with Ayungon having 15,103 FFPs, Bais City 500, Bindoy 1,400, Canlaon City 3,194, Guihulngan City 8,134, Mabinay 1,546, San Jose 800, Santa Catalina 1,226, Tayasan 1,850, Vallehermoso 4,630.
Meanwhile, DSWD has standby funds of ₱2,000,000.00.
Quick Response Team on Standby
Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) Chief Lilibeth Cabiara emphasized that under the guidance of Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero and active participation in the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the division has strategically assessed the potential impact of the eruption to ensure a proactive and coordinated response.
“The continued unrest of Mt. Kanlaon in the previous months led us to apply our disaster preparedness and response strategic plan. The prepositioning of the various Food and Non-food Items underwent a collaborative process between the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) members, especially with the active involvement of the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) as Vice Chair of Disaster Response,” Cabiara shared.
Through its City and Municipal Action Team (CMAT) in Canlaon City, DSWD 7 continues to monitor and assess the situation in each designated evacuation area to ensure a timely and effective response to the needs of displaced families.
Based on the DROMIC Report of DSWD 7 Disaster Response Information Management System (DRIMS), no reported casualties, and no additional families were inside the seven evacuation centers in Canlaon City,
On May 13, 2025, Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island erupted, producing a five-minute explosion with an ash plume rising 4.5 kilometers above the summit. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued an Alert Level 3, indicating continued volcanic activity and a potential for further eruptions. ###