NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – In the wake of the explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, 2024, the Dioceses of Kabankalan and San Carlos in Negros Occidental have reached out to the public, requesting prayers and donations to support the affected communities.
Both dioceses have utilized social media to communicate the urgent needs of the displaced families, which include essentials like food, water, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, and face masks.
The Diocese of Kabankalan emphasized the importance of solidarity and compassion, urging the community to contribute to the relief efforts at St. Vincent Ferrer Shrine-La Castellana. They specified that donations of food, water, face masks, hygiene kits, toiletries, sleeping mats, and bedding can be delivered to the nearest parish. For those wishing to make cash donations, they provided a GCash number: 09177716917, managed by Fr. Ricon Dagunan.
On the other hand, the Diocese of San Carlos shared a prayer for protection from disasters on their social media platforms. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos expressed his concerns for the safety of residents near the volcano’s permanent danger zone and mentioned plans for a detailed assessment to better assist the affected.
Currently, around 2,310 individuals from 662 families in Barangay Mansalanao are being sheltered by Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish-Shrine in La Castellana. Fr. Romel ‘Boyet’ Enar, the Parochial Vicar, noted that due to space constraints, some evacuees are also housed at St. Vincent’s High School, with limited facilities leading to crowded conditions.
Fr. Enar described the challenging situation at the school, where rooms are fully occupied and an auditorium is being used without adequate tenting. He mentioned that the local government has provided a small number of tents, but many evacuees are forced to find makeshift accommodations around the church and convent.
The eruption, which occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on December 9, resulted in a significant emission of black smoke reaching up to 4,000 meters. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has escalated the alert level to 3, indicating magmatic unrest, from the previous level 2, signaling increasing unrest.