In a heartwarming display of holiday spirit, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) teamed up with local government units to bring festive cheer to the evacuees of Mt. Kanlaon. On December 24 and 25, 2024, the DSWD Field Office 7 in Central Visayas, along with their counterparts in Western Visayas, organized a series of holiday activities in evacuation centers across Regions 6 and 7.
These activities included the distribution of family food packs, gift-giving sessions, and engaging games designed for all ages, aimed at lifting the spirits of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Irene Dumlao, Assistant Secretary for the Disaster Response Management Group at DSWD, emphasized the importance of these events in bringing a sense of normalcy and joy to the evacuees during challenging times.
Dumlao highlighted the continuous efforts of DSWD personnel who remained on duty over the holidays to ensure seamless support and coordination with local governments. This commitment stems from the protocol established following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which escalated to Alert Level 3, necessitating round-the-clock readiness from disaster response teams.
The DSWD has already disbursed over PHP52 million in humanitarian aid to those affected by the volcanic activity, as reported by the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC). The aid has reached 11,883 families, with 4,454 families, totaling 14,186 individuals, currently sheltered in 32 evacuation centers.
Dumlao reassured that the DSWD will maintain close coordination with local authorities and continue providing necessary assistance until the situation stabilizes and the evacuees can return to their normal lives.