Canlaon city: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is distributing livelihood assistance to residents of Canlaon City affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s eruptions, an official said Tuesday. In an interview, Krystle Jade Bato, spokesperson and OIC chief of the Consumer Protection Division of DTI-Negros Oriental, said the profiling of victims is ongoing to determine the qualifications of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

According to Philippines News Agency, the first batch of 28 associations in Barangay Pula in Canlaon City have already received their livelihood kits under the DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program. Each beneficiary received a PHP15,000 livelihood starter kit in the form of vouchers that can be used to purchase items for their businesses or livelihood at a partner establishment.

Bato stated that the beneficiaries are from barangays within the 4-km. Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), who were evacuated after Mt. Kanlaon’s eruptions last year. The beneficiaries are engaged in small businesses, such as sari-sari, dry goods, and retail stores.

Thousands of residents in at least five barangays in Canlaon City were evacuated last year after the volcano erupted. Although many of them have already returned to their homes outside the 4-km. PDZ, about a thousand IDPs are still staying in evacuation camps.

The PPG is a government livelihood and entrepreneurship program that assists individuals and families affected by natural and man-made calamities in their recovery and rebuilding.