MANILA – Government aid extended to the families affected by the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has amounted to over PHP29 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.
In its update, the agency said Region 7 (Central Visayas) received PHP11,999,208,53 worth of aid while Region 6 (Western Visayas) was provided PHP17,013,481 consisting of family food packs, hygiene and sleeping kits and modular tents. The region also received PHP364,000 worth of face masks.
About 9,696 families in both regions were provided aid, but the NDRRMC said this figure is subject to change due to ongoing validation.
READ: City gov’t appeals for aid as Kanlaon eruption drains resources
As of December 16, about 10,784 families were affected or 43,970 persons residing in 26 barangays in the two regions.
Of this number, 4,278 families or 13,748 persons stay in 27 activated evacuation centers while 694 families or 2,366 individuals are being aided outside.
Mt. Kanlaon, one of the country’s active volcanos, erupted on December 9, prompting the government to order the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from surrounding villages in Negros Island.
The volcano’s alert level was raised to 3, indicating more explosive eruptions could still follow. (PNA)