LAHAR. The Padudusan Falls in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental covered with lahar debris from Kanlaon Volcano that erupted on June 3, 2024. Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Friday (June 7, 2024) said the city government will extend financial assistance to some localities in Negros Island affected by the eruption. (Canlaon City LGU Facebook photo)
CEBU CITY – Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia vowed Friday to provide cash assistance to localities in Negros Island affected by the recent phreatic eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Garcia said he instructed the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) to conduct a rapid assessment of local government units in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental badly hit by the eruption.
The CCDRRMO has recommended an initial PHP1 million up to PHP2 million in financial assistance to at least five localities gravely affected by the incident.
“That’s just the minimum. We can give some more, depending on the Cebu City Council’s final recommendation,” Garcia told the Philippine News Agency.
Localities affected by the volcanic eruption are Bago City, Pontevedra, La Castellana, and La Carlota City.
Ashfalls, meanwhile, have reached to some areas of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, and San Carlos City.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas urged the public and government agencies to observe “Code White Alert” following the June 3 eruption.
The Code White Alert indicates appropriate preparedness measures, specifically the designation of responsibilities and resources needed to be readily available.
“The general public is advised to wear face masks as necessary and as appropriate, particularly vulnerable groups,” the DOH-7 said.
DRRMO managers and focal personnel are enjoined to conduct continuous monitoring, provide rapid health assessment and appropriate health emergency response activities in cases of possible eventualities during specified dates. (PNA)
