While they have to stay in evacuation centers for now to ensure their safety, residents here affected by the Dec. 9, 2024 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon are grateful for various assistance from the government that makes life away from home easier.

Residents expressed their gratitude on Friday afternoon as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of PHP5,000 financial assistance and family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 323 affected families, composed of 1,111 persons, during his visit to La Carlota South Elementary School-II.

With President Marcos were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Mayor Rex Jalando-on, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer.

“Ginagawa namin lahat para maging kumportable (kayo). Ang suporta ng pamahalaan ay laging nandiyan (we are doing everything to make you comfortable. The government’s support will always be there),” Marcos said.

Jalando-on thanked the President “for coming over to see what is happening on the ground.”

“Thank you for giving us the encouragement to continue doing what we are doing,” he added.

Rosie Magbanua, 24, of Barangay Yubo, was emotional thinking how long they have stayed in the school shelter with her husband and two young children aged 6 and 3.

She is thankful though that their stay at the evacuation center has been pleasant as they always have enough food and an adequate place to stay.

“It’s really okay here. We are well and in case, we get sick, there are doctors and nurses who take care of us. I’m also thankful President Marcos gave us financial assistance, knowing that we can’t earn a living while we are here,” Magbanua said in Hiligaynon.

Despite the uncertainties, she is hopeful that Kanlaon’s unrest would end soon and they can go home.

Merlyn Lumogdang, 61, of Barangay Ara-al, said all 12 of them in the family, including her husband, their four children and their own families, have been displaced by the volcanic eruption.

Despite this, she said they appreciate the way the city government and the DSWD take care of them and provide for their needs.

“Our rooftop has been destroyed by the ashfall and my husband checks on our crops and farm animals during the hours residents are allowed to go back. The financial assistance is a big help for us,” she said.

Teresita Cabrillos, 72, said she will use the PHP5,000 cash aid to buy materials for a new roof.

“It’s only been less than a year since we had a new roof and now it has been destroyed,” she said.

Since the volcano’s explosive eruption in December last year, residents from Ara-Al, Yubo and Haguimit villages situated within the 6-km. Extended Danger Zone have been forcibly evacuated and are seeking refuge in four evacuation centers and with nearby relatives in La Carlota City.

A total of 12,630 families or 48,528 persons have been displaced, with 57 towns in Western Visayas and Central Visayas placed under a state of calamity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s situation report released Thursday.

Kanlaon’s unrest has resulted in over PHP129 million in damage to agriculture in Western Visayas.

This is Kanlaon’s second eruption in 2024, with the first occurrence on June 3. (PNA)