Over Php26 million in humanitarian aid has been so far extended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s restiveness, an agency official reported on Monday (December 16).

“As Kanlaon’s restiveness continues, we also anticipate that the amount of assistance will continue soar in the coming days,” Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency’s spokesperson, said.

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said a total of 18,881 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) have already been extended by the DSWD to cover the food needs of families affected Region 6 – Western Visayas and Region 7 – Central Visayas.

More non-food items (NFIs) are also being sourced out from the agency’s warehouses, such as modular tents, family kits, kitchen kits, sleeping kits, among others.

“Over the weekend, our DSWD Field Office (FO) 6 delivered modular tents and hygiene kits for distribution to the affected families in La Carlota City, as well as hygiene kits and sleeping kits for the use of families in the municipality of La Castellana,” the DRMG official said.

A total of 10,784 families or 43,970 individuals have been affected by the volcanic activities of Mt. Kanlaon, based on the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC) report as of 6:00 am,

Meanwhile, a total of 4,275 families or 13,688 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently taking temporary shelter in the 27 evacuation centers across Negros Island.

In response to the increasing number of IDPs and prolonged evacuations, the DSWD has ramped up coordination with the local government units (LGUs) to ensure a unified approach to the psychosocial needs of the evacuees.

At the La Castellana Municipal Evacuation Center, FO – Western Visayas personnel joined forces with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) to organize a film-showing for the evacuees.

“This initiative aims to provide temporary entertainment for our evacuees, particularly to children and ease their trauma and stress caused by the unrest at Mount Kanlaon,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

As of press time, the agency maintains 1,512,274 boxes of FFPs across its regional warehouses, spokes, and last-mile facilities nationwide.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao reiterated that the DSWD is on top of the situation and well-equipped to respond accordingly in case the Mt. Kanlaon’s magmatic restiveness requires prolonged and wider operations.

“We, of course, do not wish for things to worsen, especially at such a time when our kababayans should be enjoying the holiday season. But still, the DSWD, together with the LGUs and the national government, remains on full alert to monitor the situation, and give appropriate assistance in any eventuality,” the DSWD spokesperson said. (LSJ)

Tagalog Version

Tulong ng DSWD sa mga pamilyang apektado ng Kanlaon sa Negros, umabot na sa Php26M

Nakapagpaabot na ng mahigit sa Php26 million humanitarian aid ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa mga pamilya at indibidwal na naapektuhan ng pagsabog ng Mt. Kanlaon.

“As Kanlaon’s restiveness continues, we also anticipate that the amount of assistance will continue to soar in the coming days,” ayon kay DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) at Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

May kabuuang 18,881 kahon ng family food packs (FFPs) ang naipamahagi ng ahensya sa mga apektadong residente ng Region 6 – Western Visayas at Region 7 – Central Visayas.

Nakapagbigay na rin ng mga non-food items (NFIs) tulad ng modular tents, family kits, kitchen kits, sleeping kits.

“Over the weekend, our DSWD Field Office (FO) 6 delivered modular tents and hygiene kits for distribution to the affected families in La Carlota City, as well as hygiene kits and sleeping kits for the use of families in the municipality of La Castellana,” sabi pa ni Asst. Sec. Dumlao.

Batay sa Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC) ng DSWD, may kabuuang bilang na 10,784 families o 43,970 individuals ang naapektuhan ng pagsabog ng bulkang Kanlaon.

Nasa 4,275 families o 13,688 internally displaced persons (IDPs) ang kasalukuyang nanunuluyan sa 27 evacuation centers sa Negros Island.

Tuloy-tuloy naman ang koordinasyon sa pagitan ng DSWD Field Offices at LGUs upang matiyak na mabibigyan ng maayos na kalagayan ang mga nasa evacuation centers, kabilang na ang pagbibigay ng psychosocial aid.

“This initiative aims to provide temporary entertainment for our evacuees, particularly to children and ease their trauma and stress caused by the unrest at Mount Kanlaon,” dagdag pa ng DSWD spokesperson.

Samantala, tiniyak ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao na ang ahensya ay patuloy na magbibigay ng tulong sa mga residenteng naapektuhan ng pagputok ng bulkan sakaling magtagal pa ang pagaalburoto nito.

“We, of course, do not wish for things to worsen, especially at such a time when our kababayans should be enjoying the holiday season. But still, the DSWD, together with the LGUs and the national government, remains on full alert to monitor the situation, and give appropriate assistance in any eventuality,” paliwanag pa ng DSWD spokesperson.