BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The entire province of Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity after the eruption of the Mount Kanlaon.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), in a special session yesterday, December 13, approved the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (PDRRMC) Resolution No. 11 recommending declaring a state of calamity.
On Thursday, December 12, the PDRRMC passed the said resolution signed by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson following the raising to Alert Level 3 the status of the Mount Kanlaon by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
“The SP is implored to provide in its resolution that a portion of the calamity fund be released to extend immediate assistance to those affected by the Kanlaon eruption, and which will greatly aid the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental,” read part of the resolution.
It further said that the SP is implored to provide in its resolution that a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities be imposed over the entire province in order to curb predatory pricing by businesses and hoarding of goods.
Funds should be programmed or reprogrammed for the repair and upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities,” it said.
Additionally, the quick response fund (QRF) from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) funds be utilized within the affected local government units (LGUs) or other areas impacted by a disaster or calamity, for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery, and other necessary works or services.
On Monday, December 9, the Kanlaon erupted, producing a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 3,000 meters above the vent.
PHIVOLCS upgraded the alert status from Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Level 3 (magmatic unrest), indicating intensified volcanic activity marked by increased earthquakes and substantial steam or ash emissions.
The cities of La Carlota and Bago, and the municipalities of La Castellana, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Valladolid, San Enrique, and Binalbagan were greatly affected by the said eruption.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office showed that 4,963 families, or 16,869, were affected by Monday’s eruption./PN
