In response to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has mobilized a significant relief effort, preparing aid valued at PHP108 million. Tonyson Luther Lee, the assistant regional director for administration at DSWD-Central Visayas, announced that the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu, has amassed 84,537 family food packs and 27,789 non-food items to support the affected communities.
The non-food items include a variety of essential kits: 4,890 family kits, 6,037 sleeping kits, 1,934 hygiene kits, 3,119 kitchen kits, and an additional 11,809 miscellaneous items, according to Lee. This comprehensive preparation aims to address the immediate needs of the evacuees.
In western Cebu, where residents face the looming threat of Mt. Kanlaon, authorities have urged the public to brace for potential volcanic fallout. Capt. Eden Rex Baguio, spokesperson for the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), emphasized the collaborative efforts between the Toledo City police and local officials to ensure preparedness. Although Toledo City is not directly adjacent to the volcano, Baguio highlighted the potential for indirect effects such as ashfall, which could disrupt transportation and communication networks.
To safeguard public health, face masks have been distributed to residents in western Cebu, preparing them for any ashfall that might occur due to the volcanic activity.