CANLAON CITY: The government of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental is optimistic about securing additional disaster response funds and assistance after the province declared a state of calamity due to the ongoing threat posed by Mt. Kanlaon. This declaration is aimed at addressing the needs of residents affected by the volcanic activity.

According to Philippines News Agency, Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City’s information officer-designate, stated on Wednesday that the provincial government is now able to access its Quick Response Fund to provide support to those impacted by the volcanic unrest. “We are hopeful that more relief aid will come in, especially with the persistent threat of a major eruption,” Masicampo said.

On Tuesday, Canlaon City officials, along with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), conducted a simulation exercise for an Alert Level 4 scenario, which would necessitate the evacuation of residents from a 12-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). “The exercise helped us identify the challenges and risks of a major eruption, which could potentially affect the entire city,” Masicampo added.

Currently, 2,381 families, or 7,638 individuals, have been displaced by the volcanic activity. Of these, 1,735 families are residing in 10 evacuation centers, while the remainder are staying with relatives. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has maintained an Alert Level 3 status for Mt. Kanlaon, citing ongoing magmatic unrest. “No one has been allowed to return home since the Dec. 9 eruption because the threat remains,” Masicampo noted.

PDRRMO chief Adrian Sedillo shared that the provincial board, as confirmed by Board Member Jessica Jane Villanueva, voted on December 27 to place the province under a state of calamity, following an earlier declaration by the town of Vallehermoso.